Forced to Think and Tempted to Panic
The world seems to have entered a time of environmental and political upheaval that is worse than any in recorded history. Many people are developing a fearful attitude towards the future.
What is fear? It’s easier to understand the outcomes of fear than to define fear itself. We experience fear as unease or anxiety about what may happen in the future. Fear affects our emotional and physical life. It can be personal or global. Personal fear can be lessoned by friends who provide support and are not afraid of what frightens us. But what of global fear? Who helps us when we’re all afraid?
Foundations of fear: We are bombarded with information from all parts of the world, some of it true and some of it false. I raise the question: What is happening to the planet and its people? Are we out of control ? Did we ever have control? Even if the information we receive is incorrect the fear is real.
How do we live with fear?
Believe the big picture: Since creation, the creator has been moving the world towards one magnificent goal––the merging of heaven and earth. From the bible’s perspective the Creator’s goal includes fearful turmoil.
When fear grips us we are tempted to look to earthly leaders and human wisdom to solve problems that people alone can’t possibly solve.
Who will we trust as our strong leader in times of turmoil and fear?
From his followers stand-point Jesus is the antidote for fear. When we are in a right relationship with him we can be sure he controls everything that happens to us. (John 14:1-3) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. ……
As followers of Jesus we are to deal with life differently to how people normally face problems (perceived and real)
(Isa 8:11) The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. (godless) He said: 12 “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, & do not dread it. 13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread,..’
When Jesus told his disciples the temple would be destroyed, they found it hard to accept. (The temple was built out of huge sandstone blocks) Yet some of them lived to see it happen.
Jesus gave his disciples signs to prepare them for getting through that catastrophic event. We also have been given signs to remind us of the final and greatest turmoil.
A sample: Luke 21:24…….. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. This has been the situation since 70AD. Even when modern Israel was established Jerusalem remained Gentile territory.
(25) “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
There is growing international anxiety over what is happening to the planet.
(26) Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
There are pockets of improvement in spiritual, political and environmental matters. However, the bible tells that in these three areas things will get worse as the time of the end gets closer. This isn’t pessimism it’s Biblical realism.
Think about this: What if we are right now experiencing the wind up of the age? How are we going to cope if the world panics? What should we do if we believe things are out of control.
What can we do to manage our fears?
We can remind ourselves that God is in absolute control. Then we remind ourselves that after the troubles ‘the whole of creation will be brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God’. (Rom 8: 2 1) And there his followers will be: alive, safe and well. Living with Jesus forever, in a world in perfect harmony and peace.
Four things that will help us deal with fear.
1. Knowledge. a) The knowledge that what is happening is within the plan of God (allowed or deliberate). b) The knowledge that Christians are at the heart of his plan. And c) The knowledge that all things are moving by God’s power towards providing for our everlasting good.
(Dan. 12:1-3) “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people — everyone whose name is found written in the book — will be delivered. We should be certain our name has been recorded.
2. Trust Jesus to be both truthful and capable.
Trust in Jesus’ power and commitment to us will release us from all competing fears. This doesn’t mean we won’t have the occasional anxiety or panic attacks––particularly if we are personally affected by the turmoil.
Trusting in Jesus doesn’t mean we do nothing and just watch. It means the very opposite. Like with temptation: we aren’t told just to resist it. We are told to replace it by taking the way of escape God always provides (1 Cor 10:13)
3. Live in happy submission to the word of God.
As the world systems crumble Christians aren’t to sit around simply waiting for the end. We are to live strongly, do good things and gather disciples for Jesus. This means we take on a godly lifestyle. By doing this we glorify God and make decisions that match with the lifestyle of Jesus.
4. We pray: Like we pray about death. Not to avoid it but to have a good passage to it. And we have the certainty that we are loved by God.
(1John 4:18) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…’
Our wonderful future was secured by Jesus on the cross. Things are going exactly according to plan. God is still in control of his world. He has created a people he will love forever. Don’t Panic! Travel with Jesus––He has overcome the world.
