The news of impeachment hearings in Washington, D.C., missiles being fired from North Korea, raids in Baghdad and the fires in California fill the headlines of today.
However, let me assure you that what is happening today at the street address of your home is infinitely more important than any of these headline-grabbing events.
My father, who was perhaps the greatest man I have ever known, was a wise leader and mentor when it came to reminding his family of truth. Whenever we experienced friction in the family home, he was quick to remind us, "What happens at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue pales in comparison to what happens at 6555 Alleghany Road."
So, just for today, rather than being paralyzed by the fear of international skirmishes, national discord and situations that you are unable to control, let me remind you to choose to be a person of hope and compassion in the world that matters the most—your world.
When politics are imploding around you, build a home of strength and virtue that will stand the test of time. When the future of the economy remains fragile, continue to tithe, to give and to support ministries as a generous giver. When fear threatens to strangle the very potential out of your future, be a source of peace and joy to the people with whom you cross paths.
When nasty barbs are thrown around like missiles in a war zone, use your words as a bastion of kindness and encouragement to the people whose lives intersect with yours. When the headlines worsen day by day and you wonder how much longer this nation will survive, tie yourself to the promises of God and find your sustenance there.
Every morning when you awake, rather than being fixated on the troubles of our society, on the downfall of morality and on the instability of our culture, choose to pray for someone. Ask the Father to give you divine appointments with people who need just a touch of goodwill and understanding today. Be the messenger of the Father in a world gone mad!
If you recognize the foolishness of politicians yelling at one another, don't yell at your family but use words of patience and graciousness. If you don't want the missiles of mass destruction to be aimed at the heart of a nation, then choose not to aim verbal or emotional missiles of destruction on the world in which you live.
If you dread reading about the ravages that are being caused by the fires in California, then determine that your tongue will not set any fires today or any other day.
You, as an ordinary man or woman, have the God-given power to change the world in which you live. You have more power in how you choose to live your life than you can ever imagine!
So live well, live with power and live with purpose! You create the headlines that are being written in heaven this very day, so write one of faith and purpose.
You, my friend, are a force to be reckoned with! 
Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books: No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart, Defiant Joy! and Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire. Her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman's Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming.
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