7 Mistakes You’re Making with the Morning News (and How to Fix Them with Scripture)

Hey there, I’m Layne McDonald. If you’re like me, your morning routine probably involves a cup of coffee and a quick glance at what happened in the world while you were asleep. But have you ever noticed that by 8:00 AM, you’re already feeling on edge, frustrated, or strangely defeated?

It’s not just the caffeine kicking in. It’s the way we consume the news.

At The McReport, we believe in being informed, but we also believe in being formed by the Word of God. As someone who spends all day in the news cycle, I’ve seen how easy it is to fall into habits that drain our peace. Today, let’s look at seven common mistakes we make with the morning news and how we can use Scripture to course-correct.

The Facts: The State of the Modern Morning

Before we dive into the fixes, let’s look at the "cold" reality of our digital environment. According to recent studies on media consumption, the average person checks their phone within fifteen minutes of waking up. Most of that time is spent on social media or news apps that utilize algorithms designed to trigger high-arousal emotions: specifically fear and anger.

Neurologically, starting your day with a "stress hit" from a headline triggers the hormone cortisol. When your body is flooded with cortisol before you’ve even stepped out of bed, your brain stays in a state of "fight or flight" for hours. Furthermore, the 24-hour news cycle often prioritizes speed over context, leading to a fragmented understanding of global events. This lack of context, combined with high-frequency consumption, is a leading contributor to "headline anxiety" and political tribalism.

1. Starting with Google Instead of God

The biggest mistake most of us make is giving the world the first word of our day. We check the headlines, the weather, and our stocks before we check in with the Creator.

The Fix: Matthew 6:33 Jesus was very clear about our priorities: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

When we start with news, we are seeking the kingdom of man first. When we start with Scripture, we anchor our identity in something unshakable. In our Assemblies of God tradition, we emphasize the "First Works": giving God the literal first fruits of our time. Try leaving your phone in another room until you’ve spent at least ten minutes in the Word. Let God’s voice be the loudest one you hear today.

2. Allowing News to Fuel Anxiety and Division

Modern news is often curated to make you feel like the world is ending or that "the other side" is out to get you. If your news intake leaves you feeling more like a political warrior than a disciple of Christ, there’s a problem.

The Fix: Philippians 4:8 Paul gives us a filter for our thoughts: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable: think about such things."

This doesn't mean we ignore the hard truths of the world, but it does mean we choose news sources that deliver information calmly and clearly. If a source uses loaded, emotional language to make you angry, it’s failing the Philippians 4:8 test. Seek out balanced reporting that honors the truth without weaponizing it.

3. Reacting Emotionally Without Reflection

Have you ever read a headline and immediately felt a surge of indignation? We live in a "reaction economy." The mistake is absorbing headlines and letting them dictate our emotional state before we’ve had a chance to evaluate them spiritually.

The Fix: James 1:19 Scripture tells us to be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

In the digital age, this means being "slow to post" and "slow to react." Before you let a news story ruin your mood, pause and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. As believers, we believe in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, which provides us with spiritual gifts: including the gift of discernment. Use it! Ask: Is this the whole truth? How would Jesus want me to view this person or situation?

4. Treating News Like Morning Prayer

The philosopher G.W.F. Hegel once famously said that reading the morning newspaper is "the realist’s morning prayer." For many of us, this has become a subconscious reality. We look to the news to tell us what to hope for, what to fear, and how to live.

The Fix: Reclaiming the Altar News informs us, but only the Holy Spirit can transform us. When we treat the news as our primary source of "truth," we are essentially building an altar to current events. Instead, we should view news as a prayer list. If you see a tragedy in the headlines, don't just consume the data: turn it into a petition for Divine Healing and God’s intervention.

5. Doomscrolling Instead of Intentional Consumption

The "endless scroll" is a trap. It’s a passive way of consuming information that leaves us feeling overwhelmed and helpless. This "doomscrolling" convinces us that the world is spinning out of control and that God is absent.

The Fix: The "Peace Scroll" Be intentional. Set a "start" and "stop" time for your news consumption. Instead of aimlessly scrolling, go to specific, trusted sites for a set period. At The McReport, we aim to provide that calm, centralized place where you can get the facts and get on with your day. Replace the scroll with a "Peace Scroll": a Bible app, a worship song, or a devotional that reminds you that Christ is still on the throne.

6. Having No Time Boundaries

The 24/7 news cycle wants 24/7 of your attention. But as humans, we weren't designed to carry the weight of the entire world's problems at all hours of the day.

The Fix: Sabbath Rest Even in our morning routines, we need boundaries. If you find yourself checking news during dinner or right before bed, you are inviting the world's chaos into your most sacred spaces. Set boundaries. Maybe you only check the news at 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Remember, the world will still be there if you take a break. God is the one sustaining the universe, not your constant monitoring of the news feed.

7. Neglecting Solitude for Formation

We are so afraid of missing out (FOMO) that we crowd out the "still small voice" of God with the loud, clanging gongs of the media. The mistake is never creating space for alone time with God before the demands of the day: and the headlines: take over.

The Fix: Mark 1:35"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

If Jesus needed solitude to stay aligned with the Father’s will, how much more do we? Solitude allows us to process what we’ve heard in the news through the lens of eternity. We believe in the Second Coming of Christ: the ultimate "Good News" that puts every "Bad News" story into perspective. When we sit in solitude, we remember that the current headlines are temporary, but God’s Kingdom is everlasting.

The Lens: A Biblical Perspective on Information

As members of the Assemblies of God and the broader body of Christ, we must remember that our primary citizenship is in Heaven. Our "Lens" for the news should always be the Great Commission. When we see a conflict in the Middle East or a political shift in Washington, our response shouldn't be "Who is winning?" but "How can the Gospel be shared here?" and "Where is God moving?"

Information without intercession leads to indignation. But information paired with the Word of God leads to impact. We are called to be salt and light, and you can’t be either if you’re just as anxious and angry as the rest of the world.

The Response: Your New Morning Routine

Ready to fix your morning? Here are three practical "Peace Steps" to take starting tomorrow:

1. The "Word Before World" Rule: Do not open a single news app or social media platform until you have read at least one chapter of Scripture and spent five minutes in prayer.

2. The Fact-Check Prayer: When you read a headline that triggers fear or anger, stop immediately. Pray: "Lord, You are in control. Give me Your heart for this situation and protect my peace."

3. The Five-Minute Limit: Set a timer for your news consumption. Once it goes off, close the tab and move into your day’s work with a spirit of excellence.

We don't have to be ignorant of the world to be at peace. We just have to be more obsessed with the Good News than we are with the "breaking" news.

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Source: The Gospel Coalition, Barna Group, Desiring God.