A number of Christians are obsessing to the point of anxiety and anger over politics and the pandemic. In the political arena, the events of recent days have some mired in the muck of anger and anxiety such that they spend inordinate time on the news or social media. The pandemic is quickly heating up the fear thermometer because the new Covid-19 strain is reported by WebMD to be 50% more contagious. Spending great chunks of time on this can be addictive. Yet, did you know that underneath the ominous pandemic and oppressive governments in other parts of the world, Christianity is the fastest-growing “religion” in China and Iran?
The increased rumblings in politics and the pandemic are causing an internal earthquake in the soul of many. Some are overcome by hopelessness because of feeling out of our control. Others feel bitter and are lashing out on social media with cruel statements. There are those who are free-falling in a downward spiral of depression and despair. Sleep escapes more and more people. How do we deal with these encroaching enemies of anger and anxiety?
The best thing we can do is to rest in Christ because He alone is our Prince of Peace. Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 15:27). Notice Jesus doesn’t say I am going to give you my peace one day. He says “I give you my peace now.” Because Jesus is our Prince of Peace, we have the grace to choose to believe that truth, allowing our feelings to catch up.
Jesus writes this through Isaiah about experiencing Him as our peace. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3). Why don’t you pause for a moment and tell Jesus, “I choose to trust you with all that is going on in the world and in my life.”
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). This truth reminds us to present our requests to God. Have you placed your concerns in the hands of Jesus? Have you asked Him to speak to you about them?
Finally, let’s meditate daily on God’s love for us as described in Romans 8. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Because you are in Christ, you are smack dab in the middle of His love for you every nanosecond, regardless of what is going on in the world.
If you are struggling with anxiety and/or anger with all of the trouble we are seeing in this world, please contact us for a counseling consultation. Or, if you know someone who needs counseling during these times, have them contact us as well. You can reach us at 704-522-9026 or Email us.
Life Free in Christ!
