Why ‘If It Bleeds, It Leads’ Fails News Readers

Have you ever noticed that when people go to a restaurant and they get bad service, they are all too willing to make a complaint? But when they get good, or even great service, they say nothing. The same is true with most services that people receive. Sure, there is the occasional exception to the rule. But for the most part, that’s just human nature.

That seems to be the case with news and current events. The media is all too happy to report all the chaos going on in our world but is not so quick to report on the good going on in everyday life. I guess the good news doesn’t bring in the ratings. As the saying goes, “If it bleeds, it leads.”

With everything that is going on in the world today, good is rising in the hearts of humanity. For every bad deed, there are two, although unreported, blessings to outshine them. For example, prime time TV is flooded with shows having themes of sexual temptation and violence these days. At the same time movies like War Room and Woodlawn are receiving rave reviews.

In the music world, where many, and usually the most popular ones, songs seem to contain such graphic material, both sexual and violence, that warning labels must be printed on the cover of the albums. A less well known song, “Pray for America” is resonating across the country.

A classic favorite, “This Is My Body,” re-emerged at the World Meeting of Families. Tears flowed as hearts were recommitted for life.

The coverage of Pope Francis’ visit to Washington, New York, and Philadelphia and his much needed message of unity brought hope to many in times of many trials.

At times we are so bombarded by the evils of the world that we feel as though we, as a single individual, are helpless to do anything about it.

But, besides what is going on in the world at large, we all live in a smaller sphere in which each one of us has an influence on those around us. If we treat each other with agape love, we can change the world one person at a time. You may be the hope for that someone you run into today.

As I travel around the country speaking at various events, I sometimes like to get the audience’s participation as we sing, “This Little Light Of Mine.” It reminds us that, as Matthew 5:14 says, “You [all of us] are the light of the world …” (addition mine). You and I are called to be a light to those around us. And together we can light up the world and darkness will have nowhere to hide.

It is said that every cloud has a silver lining. The battle for life is raging, yet we are winning.