“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:19-21 (ESV)

We’re living in amazing times. Technology has made news available to us within seconds after it occurs. We have become so accustomed to this that we form opinions regarding it just as fast. As I look at what’s happening in my state this week, I have thoughts about events where folks have overreacted, formed early opinions and jumped to conclusions. Not long ago, a mass shooter was arrested after taking lives, found guilty, tried and convicted before he ever appeared before the legal system. A drug deal went bad, a death occurred, we reacted to the system rather than the criminals who supplied the drug. People came to our country for refuge. They enter illegally and supposedly become model citizens while they rip off the taxpayers by setting up fraudulent businesses. With the instant news we have, we blame law enforcement.

Our thought process is based on what information we’re being fed. We don’t truly investigate for ourselves before making a statement of outrage. Our opinions cause a rush to judgement that is truly unfair. I bite my tongue every time I write about the state of our nation. I have tried very hard to ignore this problem, but I see it every day. Why are we so quick to judge without having the full picture?

I pray that America is doing the right thing to prohibit the needless hatred, fear and death that occur on a daily basis. I pray for our law enforcement and their safety. They’re putting their lives on the line each time they leave their homes. I pray for our government officials – instituted by God – that they will look at the corruption that has infiltrated our cities, country and minds of the people who live there. I pray that we all take a deep breath and look for ways to bring God’s love and truth back into our everyday living. As James states in the above Bible passages, we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. This is a simple solution, but we have gone far beyond that by choosing to believe that all things coming from the media are true.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY. HELP ME TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME TO THINK BEFORE SPEAKING – TO THINK AND RESEARCH BEFORE WRITING – AND TO SERVE YOU AND YOUR HOLY WORD BY LIVING FOR YOU.