3 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN THINGS IN THE WORLD SCARE YOU

As a viral worldwide pandemic causes travel bans, mandatory shutdowns, and increased panic, what do you do? Where can you go when things in the world scare you?  It is hard to steady yourself when the world seems to be spinning out of control, but there are things you can remember to help you find peace and security even in the midst of turbulent times.

WHEN THE WORLD SCARES YOU

The world feels a little off its axis this year, doesn’t it? No matter where you live, you most likely woke up this morning hearing the news of a serious virus that is spreading around the world and increasing restrictions on work, travel, and daily interactions. You or those you know may be directly or indirectly feeling the financial, physical, and emotional impact of this crisis. Soon, we all will be affected on some level.

I will not argue that the world seems out of control. It does. And it is scary.

Probably like you, I have been both riveted and repelled by the news in the last few weeks. I want to know, yet I don’t. I read and watch, but then I have to put it down or turn it off. I feel the panic rising and need some relief.

It’s. Just. Too. Much.

HOW TO DEAL WITH WAVES OF FEAR & DOUBT

Like standing at the edge of the ocean feeling the waves crash against my weak and wobbly legs, I struggle to plant my feet, and before I know it, another wave comes rolling in, and I am knocked down. They don’t stop until I get out of the water or race further up the shore. But even if I reach that higher ground, the waves don’t cease or even slow down…they relentlessly wash over and over no matter where I am.

Since the fall of man (remember Adam & Eve?), the waves of sin, pride, evil, selfishness and everything else wrong, twisted, and dysfunctional have been crashing against the shore. Sometimes calmly, sometimes violently, but they have not stopped.  I don’t think I need to argue that we live in a broken, messy world. We are confronted with it in big and small ways every day. We cannot control the physical world nor can we change the human heart.

Sometimes we can view it from a safe distance, seemingly shielded on the shores of our “bubble” lives, and other times we are in the water, bracing ourselves as the waves mercilessly pound us over and over again.

For most of us, the bubble has burst. We are in the water, struggling to stand.

So, what can we do?

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE WORLD SCARES YOU

When things in the world threaten our sense of safety and stability, we can feel scared and helpless. We may vacillate between sticking our head in the sand and wishing it all away to rushing headlong into the fray and desperately trying to make a difference. Either approach can leave us weary and weak.

So, what can you do when things in this world scare you? Big things. Things over which you know you have no control.

• Where do you go for relief?
• On whom and what can you rely?  
• What can hold you together?

THREE BIBLICAL TRUTHS TO REMEMBER WHEN THE WORLD IS FALLING APART

Although the Bible never promises us a life without trials and hardships, God does not leave us hopeless and alone in the midst of this messy, broken world. The Bible is very clear in telling us what we need to remember when it seems as if the world is falling apart.

1) THERE IS A ROCK HIGHER THAN US

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;
    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 61:2 (NIV)

If you have ever been through any kind of flooding, one of the first things you need to do is seek higher ground. God tells us to do the same thing when the storms of life rage. Seek Him–He is the Rock. He is higher than us and anything in this world, so we need to run to Him for safety and shelter.

2) GOD HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER

 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17 (NIV)

This is one of my all-time favorite verses because it aptly describes one of God’s amazing attributes: His power over all things.

Do you remember the song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”?  It was one of my favorites to sing in Sunday School, along with the accompanying hand motions!  

If you know the song, I hope it gets stuck in your head today and throughout the week (I’m merciless, I know!). But if you remember nothing else, meditate on this verse from the song:  

“He’s got you and me sister, in His hands. He’s got you and me brother, in His Hands. He’s got the whole world in His Hands.”  

What a truth to cling to in the eye of the storm!

3) THERE WILL BE DAY WHEN ALL IS MADE NEW

And the most important thing to remember when things in this life scare you? Jesus told his followers and reminds us today that when we see the world falling apart, we need to look up for it means that God is coming to make all things new (Luke 21:31). And in this new world, everything old will pass away.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.

Revelation 21:4 (NLT)

This world is not all there is. We are just passing through. There will be a day! Be encouraged by the words of this song by Jeremy Camp:

Sometimes things in this world can scare us, and we may feel it more than ever.  But this is not how the story ends.  There will be a day when the waves cease their crashing, and all is made right.  Until then, let’s hold onto each other in the storm and help those who are too scared or weak to stand.

In uncertain and troubled times like these, we need each other more than ever. I want you to know that there is a place for you here AT THE CROSSROADS!

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If this post spoke to you in any way, would you mind leaving a comment, sharing it on social media, or even letting a friend know? It would be encouraging to hear from others who need to be reminded that there is a God we can turn to when things in the world scare us.