Are you up for the Good News Challenge?

MediaMondays_graphicThis post is part of my new Media Monday series (which I hope to post in more frequently going forward) and I want to invite you to participate in the Good News Challenges. Instead of talking about a current event happening in the media right now, I’d like to focus on a different kind of news today.

I don’t know about you, but I am just plain worn out from bad news.  I can’t help but wish today’s technology and social media tools would be used to share more good news, instead of bad news, and highlight more posts that would bring awareness to the real Good News – especially at this time of the year.

You see, each day as I scroll through the posts on my Facebook wall, I see countless photos, descriptions and articles that honestly, I would rather not even know about. Not to say we don’t need to stay abreast of important news and happenings in our country and our world, but isn’t that what the news channels and news social media pages are for?

In fact, due to some of the things I have seen posted recently, I actually have unfollowed/unliked several pages and people who constantly share disturbing or negative news articles on their walls that make me feel frustrated, sad, discouraged, sickened or even mortified.  There are terrible things happening in this evil world, but to be frank, I just don’t always want to know them.

And in this year of a national election, the number of political rants I see on social media, people criticizing people for posting said political rants, and people stating how they are not going to post any political rants, opinions or candidate endorsements for whatever personal reason, is surely off the chart. And unfortunately, it’s only going to get worse.

So lately, as I’ve tried to scroll past and overlook so many bad news articles or negative posts about everything from election candidates, current events, differing opinions about laws and rights, to horrific crimes and heartbreaking losses,  my mind began to contemplate what it would be like to intentionally focus on only good news. I couldn’t help but wonder how I would feel, and how my attitude might be different, if I only read – and shared – good news for an entire week.

Of course, everyone has the power and the right to share whatever and whenever they want on social media, but I also have the power to choose what I do and do not want to see, what I want to focus on and what I spend time reading. And so do you.

Friend, what if we challenged ourselves to focus on spreading only good news this week leading up to Easter,  with a focus on shedding light on the best news of all? The Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for each and every one of us.

So on this Media Monday, the day after Palm Sunday where we celebrated Jesus riding through the streets on the back of a donkey with the people shouting His name, yet all the while knowing He would soon be nailed to a cross for their sins and for ours, I want to invite you to accept my two-fold Good News challenge.

You ready? Here’s your challenge:

This EASTER WEEK on your social media pages….

  • Commit to scrolling past any posts that appear to be ‘bad news” or negative. No matter how much your interest is piqued, if a post falls into the bad news category, do not read it!
     
  • Commit to only sharing or posting good news, and posts that point to the Good News.  Rather than sharing negative articles other people or pages have posted, search online for an uplifting story or inspirational news story to share instead – especially ones that will serve to help someone learn about the love and saving grace of Christ.  Consider sharing something positive that has happened in your life, instead of only negative circumstances or prayer requests.  Post your favorite bible verses, create a beautiful graphic with an uplifting phrase, or share a clip from your daily devotional.  If it warms your heart and brings you closer to God, it will probably do the same for someone else. 

So simply put … DO NOT share any bad news, and DO spread the good news and the Good News this Easter week!

If you’re up to the challenge,  I’d love for you to leave a comment on my blog letting me know you’re on board! And consider sharing this post on your social media pages and invite your friends and family to accept the Good News Challenge this week as well.

If we all got into the habit of only sharing and reading good news and the Good News, how might our attitudes and hearts be changed for the better? How might the lives of our friends, family and followers be changed as well? How might God use us, and our social media outlets, to spread His positive light in a negative world? How might our life be changed overall?

Hmmmmm, now those are some positive things to think about.

Happy Monday friends. Smiles.

26 Comments

  1. Sandra on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 8:25 am

    An Awesome Challenge for this Incredible Week!



  2. Julie on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 8:29 am

    Sounds like a wonderful idea! I’m in!



  3. Mickie on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 8:30 am

    I am up for this challenge
    Great idea n one all need
    I just got a Goid Morning… Love you from my daughter n grkiddos out of state.. Now how positive can that be ????
    Blessings to u Tracie n all



  4. Laura on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 8:47 am

    Good deal! I’m in!



  5. Kris on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 9:01 am

    I am in , have been trying to do this for awhile.



  6. Winnie on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 9:17 am

    I am in!



  7. Joan on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 9:29 am

    Sounds like a good idea! Thanks for the challenge!



  8. Mia Herne on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 9:32 am

    I’m in ! Infact that is my goal most of the time ! Lets spread the Good News ! Maybe we can wake up slumbering Christians ! Its time for all of us to be ambassadors of the Word .



  9. Sara on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 10:01 am

    I love this!!



  10. Kim on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 10:26 am

    I’m on board & up for the challenge



  11. Michele Batz on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 10:40 am

    Count me in and I will be sharing the Good News Challenge, right now!!



  12. Tricia on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 11:03 am

    This is a wonderful idea! I am definitely going to do it. I wanted to share it on Facebook and Twitter but when I clicked on the link, I got an error message.



  13. Megan Watterson on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 11:30 am

    A friend shared this on her Facebook page today and it made me smile………To the pregnant women on social media posting constant updates and belly pictures, I love seeing how excited you are to become a mommy.

    To the women posting “selfies,” thanks for letting young girls know that it’s okay to love yourself and to feel beautiful!

    To the mom posting a million pictures of her kids, it makes my heart so happy to see parents so proud of and loving their babies!

    To the married couple constantly posting “sappy love posts,” thank you for being a reminder to the next generation that all hope isn’t lost and happy marriages most definitely DO exist.

    To the lady posting about being at the gym…again. Thank you for the motivation to get moving myself.

    Let’s stop being annoyed by everything and start lifting each other up!

    “We rise by lifting others up”????



    • Kerry M. on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 12:47 pm

      This makes me smile. ????



    • Tracie on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      Love this too Megan! Great points! It’s all about attitude. 🙂



  14. Susie on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 11:45 am

    Tracie, you have hit on one of the reasons I avoid any “social” media like the plague! I only respond to blogs like yours that are for the glory of the Lord and uplifting to people. Maybe we should consider removing ourselves from all electronic communications devices for one day a week and plan a park gathering, a ladies tea at someones home, group gathering at a museum or art gallery, etc. Social media is fine for a short time but nothing can compare with a personal, face to face communication. Just ask anyone who does door-to-door ministry!



    • Tracie on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      Thats a great idea too Suzie! Unplugging never hurt anyone and face to face is always so much better! 🙂



  15. Lori A. on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 11:59 am

    I’m in!



  16. Kerry M. on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    I am definitely in. I have committed to doing this for some time as well. It does make a difference what we allow into our thoughts and choose to dwell on. Thank you for this challenge Tracie.



  17. Sue Schechtman on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    You go Tracie. I am all in. God is good ALL the time. ALL the time God is good.



  18. Leah DiPascal on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 1:13 pm

    What a great challenge Tracie! We should strive to do this {no only on} Easter week, but every week. This world certainly needs more positive news!



    • Tracie on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 2:26 pm

      I agree friend! That would certainly make the world a better place! At least online that is. 🙂



  19. Cindy T. on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 4:37 pm

    Amen…



  20. Rachelle Craig on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 9:30 pm

    Love this idea! 🙂 ❤ I am definitely in! 🙂 ❤



  21. Felicia on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 4:49 am

    I’m in! I am so excited about this.



  22. Tricia on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    Well, since you are at the end of the week’s challenge and I am just seeing this – I will do this Good News Challenge starting a week late. :- )



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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