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The morning and evening news fill me with images of murder, theft and destruction. The majority of what’s reported is negative and violent in nature. After watching it I often feel depressed and sad. I cannot easily forget the children left orphaned by war or the families touched by a senseless drive-by shooting. I want someone to stop those who inflict harm on the weak and powerless!
What motivates humans to visit plush theaters to witness bone-chilling murders that include illicit sex and drunkenness? Is this really entertainment? If we think so, why do we call it tragic and disgusting when it happens in real life?
I believe we have a fatal attraction to darkness. There’s a part of us that longs for good to triumph, but there’s another side that wants to experience the “knowledge” of evil. Like a dog returning to his vomit, evil makes us sick, but we go back for more because the initial feelings of shock and awe are sensational.
Paul said, “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
When I follow this counsel my attitudes and responses change. Instead of seeing the negative and horrible sides of humanity, I see opportunities to do good! As I respond to the needs around me, life’s insanity is replaced with a sense of purpose and meaning. I have found my escape!
Rich DuBose writes from Northern California.
Read more at the source: Escaping Insanity
Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Spiritual applications.