Articles
Can Jesus Swim?
Posted on March 1, 2012Can Jesus Swim?
Bad news sells. Bad news gets your attention. When economic challenges are present like now, the bad news receives much attention. Any good news or positive indicator is given little attention.
Look at the size of the headlines when the stock market is significantly down compared to it being up. No surprise – the down days receive bigger headlines than the up days of the same amount.
At a recent conference, I heard Stuart Varney, an economic journalist with FOX Business Network, speak about the prevalent negative media spin on the economy. He said, “If the media today were to report on Jesus’ miracle of walking on the water, the headline would read – ‘Jesus Can’t Swim!’”
With more time to fill from the 24/7 news channels, talk radio, and cable networks, the media supplies a steady stream of depressing news. Even the commercials – such as buying gold or reducing debt or resolving IRS tax debt – focus on negative financial events. Here are my suggestions for maintaining your sanity:
• Limit your daily commercial news intake. Keep up with what’s going on in the world, but use trusted sources that don’t try to alarm you.
• Try to avoid commercials and advertising. The goal of advertising is to make you discontented enough to buy something. It’s hard to be content watching and listening to many commercials.
• Know that the economy has ups and downs. It always has, and always will have, good and bad times.
• Remember the positives – and they always exist. Paul said in Philippians, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
• Stay focused on your long-term financial goals, not the day-to-day noise of the change in gas prices, inflation, or the stock market.
• Read truths in God’s Word more often and longer than the newspaper.
Jeremy L. White is a Men Who Win Board Member and a CPA with Blythe, White & Associates in Paducah, KY.