It seems that there is a limit to the number of things a person can be concerned about. Perhaps the real saints are capable of concern for the entire world, but I am not among them and haven’t met anyone who seems to be.
Part of the maturation process is expanding the circle of things you are able to have concern for. Babies are concerned with food and clean diapers. Children also want friends and fun experiences. Teens want meaning. Young adults begin to be concerned for the welfare of others.
It’s a good thing for the scope of concern to widen. But there’s a sneaky little trick in it. We are still limited in what we can be concerned about. And it is natural and healthy to begin with things close to us and keep them at the forefront, even if we add on to that concern for a wider range of things.
If you are absorbed with concern for every bit of news or every new political squabble, you have less concern left for those around you.
Think about the times as a parent, when your kids needs you, but you are too absorbed in a trending Twitter battle to care.
The devil likes to sneak in under the guise of “being informed”, and, “doing something about it.” It’s easy to turn people into horrible friends and neighbors when they are too obsessed with being good citizens.
Your attention, your ability to get riled up, your concern – these are precious. Don’t give them away cheaply. Guard them. The things over which you have the most direct control and responsibility should get most of it. You may have enough left over for a handful of wider concerns – especially those you can impact more than they can impact you. After that, for the great majority of things vying for your concern, the best thing to do is either nothing or pray.