“When you aren’t nervous, then you aren’t paying consideration.”[1]
Just lately, I spent an hour speaking with my grandson, who interviewed me for a historical past undertaking. His task was to seek out somebody over 60 and ask them concerning the occasions of the Chilly Struggle. I definitely met the primary requirement, and sure, I vividly bear in mind the Chilly Struggle. I advised him concerning the Cuban Missile Disaster and the way little bit of our nation bought busy constructing bomb shelters to cover in throughout an impending nuclear struggle.
I bear in mind two incidents that formed my ideas about that “Chilly” struggle and fearful fear usually. My cousin advised me that one night, whereas the nation waited for the result of our naval embargo of Cuba, her household sat on the sofa watching the information. Her dad and mom wept, anticipating the tip of the world.
However, I do not forget that whereas many of us had been digging holes of their backyards for bomb shelters, my father refused to take action. He took Genesis 8:22 actually and stated that God promised us seedtime and harvest till Christ would return. He believed that neither Soviet missiles nor our strays would destroy a world reserved to God’s judgment. Whereas the world was gripped with worry, my father merely trusted “what the Bible stated.”
After all, we face related issues at this time. In Europe, the struggle in Ukraine continues ad infinitum as troopers and civilians die every day. In Asia, Taiwan is getting ready for what they consider can be struggle with mainland China. The battle in Gaza continues as struggle and rumors of struggle fill our night information. While you add within the day’s occasions in Washington, it isn’t tough for individuals throughout the political spectrum to seek out one thing about which to be outraged and fearful.
As a doctor, daily I see sufferers who’re listening to all of this and are genuinely fearfully nervous about their future. The medical literature identifies a number of sorts of fear and worry that embrace generalized nervousness dysfunction, panic dysfunction, particular phobias, and social phobia. Taken collectively, as much as 20% of us could meet the factors for the label at any given time.[2]
I do my finest to patiently take heed to the issues that burden them. Many are hoping for a prescription to ease their worry and fear. I inform them that there is no such thing as a tablet that may provide them an answer to the issues they worry. For some, one of the best prescription I may give them is to stop watching the night information.
As a biblical counselor, there may be way more to supply those that battle with fear and worry. At instances like this, I learn Psalms, and one in every of my favorites is Psalm 37. It says the issues I consider my father trusted, the issues that may assist those that battle with fear and worry at this time.
“Don’t fret due to evildoers,
Be not envious towards wrongdoers.
For they are going to wither rapidly just like the grass and fade just like the inexperienced herb.
Belief within the LORD and do good;
Dwell within the land and domesticate faithfulness.
Delight your self within the LORD;
And He provides you with the needs of your coronary heart.
Commit your technique to the LORD,
Belief additionally in Him, and He’ll do it.
He’ll carry forth your righteousness as the sunshine
And your judgment because the noonday.
Relaxation within the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Don’t fret due to him who prospers in his manner,
Due to the person who carries out depraved schemes.
Stop from anger and forsake wrath;
Don’t fret; it leads solely to evildoing.
For evildoers can be minimize off,
However those that look forward to the LORD, they are going to inherit the land”
(Ps. 37:1-9, NASB).
We may spend hours in these verses, however time and phrase depend restrict me to 4 observations that I believe my dad would have appreciated.
1. We Get a Alternative
After we are surrounded by scary circumstances, when nations and terrorists threaten us, we’ve a alternative as believers. We will substitute fear with belief! “Don’t fret…Belief within the Lord.” Till our Lord returns, there’ll all the time be evil individuals doing evil issues. Nonetheless, God is sovereign and isn’t shocked by present occasions.
He needs to take these occasions and use them in our lives. Paul says as a lot in his letter to the Romans: “And we all know that God causes all issues to work collectively for good to those that love God, to those that are known as in line with His function. For these whom He foreknew, He additionally predestined to grow to be conformed to the picture of His Son…” (Rom. 8:28-29). Now we have a alternative in tough instances to belief within the Lord and His plan for us, or we will select to belief ourselves and battle. Within the course of, He intends to alter us. He delights in our trusting Him! He delights in our committing our technique to Him. And He’ll accomplish His will within the matter!
2. Select to Reply in a Method that Honors God and Loves Others
Don’t enable present occasions or tough individuals to resolve how you’ll reply. David tells us to stop from anger and forsake wrath. Don’t enable the deeds of others to tempt you into anger and fear. That may solely result in evil doing on our half. In conditions that will trigger us worry and fear, Paul reminds us, “If attainable, as far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all males” (Rom. 12:17-18).
3. Relaxation Whereas You Look forward to It
When I’m confronted with tough circumstances, my inclination is to repair the issue as quickly as attainable. None of us likes to extend the battle, however we will make issues harder by attempting to short-circuit the method. There have been instances in David’s life when he may have shortened his struggling by killing Saul. As an alternative, he selected to attend on God to work out His plan. We’re all the time higher off once we relaxation and look forward to God to work His will in our state of affairs.
4. Bear in mind How the Story Ends
My father’s interpretation of Genesis 8:22 match his understanding of how issues would play out within the final e book of the New Testomony, and it served him properly. The Soviets, who threatened to bury us or vaporize us with nuclear bombs, have been buried. The Soviet Union now not exists. And consider the cash my dad saved by refusing to fearfully construct that bomb shelter. When confronted with trials and troubles, we’ll all the time be finest served by selecting to belief our Lord as a substitute of fretting.
Questions for Reflection
- When confronted with tough conditions, what passage of scripture involves thoughts first?
- As you counsel those that battle, what hope do you provide them from Scripture?
[1] Miles Davis, discovered at AZQuotes.com
[2] David Baldwin, Murray Stein, and Michael Friedman, “Generalized nervousness dysfunction in Adults,” Uptodate.com, retrieved electronically Might 18, 2025.
