None of us are immune to the cycle of market emotions illustrated above. This has become clear over the past three months as volatility has increased in the markets. I have recently observed though that the more an individual focuses on the day-to-day performance of markets, the more they dramatically experience this “roller coaster” of emotion. For example, an individual can be feeling optimistic in the morning, only to hear a report from a news media source that causes them to be concerned and anxious, yet they look at the end of the day to see their account is fine and feel relief. The cycle then starts over the next day. Phew, that feels like a lot of work.

I do not advocate that anyone should be misinformed, but frankly, we have to recognize that media outlets are built to keep us riding this roller coaster each and every day. I also share this in the context of three verses I have been reflecting on the past few weeks. Psalm 1: 1 – 3 states,
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stands in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord – and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.”

I don’t know that there is any better example today of “sitting in the company of mockers” than sitting in front of financial news networks throughout the day. What if we took half the amount of time that we spent meditating on the words of the “talking heads” at CNBC, and spent it meditating on the law of the Lord?

So I would encourage you (as well as myself) with a simple, yet profound quote I recently heard while listening to a message from Dr. John Haggai: “If the news is making you fearful, turn it off!

"Investing is Emotional" image is for illustrative purposes only.  ©2018 Loring Ward Financial, Inc.