September 2025 - Self Care when the Timeline Gets Overwhelming
By Guest Contributor
Rev. Charlotte Williams
Allen Temple Minister & Director of Communications
The endless stream of headlines, whether scrolling on our phones or playing on our televisions, can leave our spirits weary. We were never meant to carry every crisis, every debate, and every tragedy at once. Sometimes the most faithful choice is to turn it off, step back, and rest in God’s presence. Protecting our peace doesn’t mean ignoring the world; it means remembering that God calls us to live in wholeness and not in constant turmoil. Prayer, Bible reading, and time with God must be our first line of defense, anchoring us in His truth before anything else.
Alongside these spiritual practices, there are also practical steps we can take each day to guard our mental health. Refer to the image for some things you can start doing today: unplug and log off when needed, filter your news so you’re not drowning in repetition, seek out support from people who truly care, and don’t waste your energy arguing with voices meant only to provoke. As Proverbs 4:23 teaches, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Your peace is a gift from God; treat it with care, because it is sacred.