I saw a post the other day from someone in the GenZ community stating they have now experienced their 119th “unprecedented event” and they were wondering when thing would return toward a more “precedented” atmosphere. The more trips we take around the sun, the more we come to understand that while humanity experiences nothing new under the sun, but that each generation is given its own unique opportunities to confront those same old fears, sins, and human frailties that every generation before has had to encounter.

Sure the technology changes. And of course we have more access to communication tools. We have redefined old terms with new labels, but the human experience is still the human experience. People invent new ways of doing old evils, but the human heart is still the same sin-sick entity it has been since that initial fall thousands of years ago in The Garden.

Again, Solomon said it in Ecclesiastes 1:9, there is truly nothing new under the sun.

But you and I are experiencing these iterations of sinful man’s machinations for the first time, and quite often for the 1001st time, too. We are learning, we are adapting, we are coping and hopefully we are healing, too. But none of this is new.

Granted, we do live in an era where news is commodified, and where it is openly admitted that fear, anger, disgust and division are the chief goals of those who orchestrate the communication. Those industries, media outlets and so-called “social” media giants know that the provoked heart remains engaged, and sticks around for more. The angered or fearful person will retreat further into the bunkers and bastions, the echo-chambers of what they hold to be true, and will spend more time engaged with their product because of that insular draw to create the impression of being surrounded by others who think, act and respond like they do.

It’s social engineering. It’s purposeful, and it’s purposefully manipulative.

So, as a Christian, how do we respond in a world that is geared toward divisive behavior and rhetoric? How do we respond when things get overwhelming and we feel frightened? What is our proper biblical response?

Should we burn our phones in the street? Throw our TVs at the doorsteps of the communications magnates and all move off into off-the-grid communes to insulate ourselves from the influences of those who profit from our distress?

When we get scared, how should we respond? What does God’s Word say? Where can we run?

Let’s breathe for a moment. Maybe remove our tinfoil hats? And we can examine what the perfect Word of our sovereign God reveals about comforting our hearts when the world seems to dim, and darkness moves in to extinguish the light of our hearts.

In Christ we have hope that helps us:

Find Balance: Staying informed without becoming overwhelmed.

In Philippians 4, we are give instruction to be anxious in nothing, but through prayer and petition and with thanksgiving, er are invited to make our requests known to God. As I talk with people about troubling life circumstances every day, I remind them this is a coming before God with “our hurts in one hand, and our hallelujahs in the other.”

This balanced approach of the heart before God helps us to hold all these troubling things in proper perspective, which is a perspective anchored in our redeemed eternity. Paul called the troubles of this life our “light and momentary burden” again echoing the perspective that only eternity bought by Jesus Christ can provide.

When, not if, but when life comes at us with strange, troubling, upsetting, fear-filled events that seem to rock our foundation, we need to remember, as Christians, that our foundation is in Jesus Christ alone.

If the balances of our soul’s hope begin, even for a moment, to tilt toward trusting in something, some one, some system, some policy, some law, some job, some bank account…you get my drift here…that ISN’T Jesus Christ, then we shouldn’t be shocked when getting shocked leaves us feeling a little more than shook.

Instead, through daily prayer and bible study, our hearts are brought before the Lord. We come with those hurts and those hallelujahs together and we fin ourselves able to focus on better things:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

In Christ we have hope that helps us have:

Faith Over Fear: Responding to crises with a biblical mindset.

Isaiah 41:10 says “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

When we get upset, when we experience fear, we cannot look within ourselves for strength or wisdom. As human beings, our strength falls short, and our wisdom is inherently flawed and sinful. When we look to that flawed and sinful interior, we will always respond to fear with fear. We will respond to anger with anger. That’s all our flesh allows for, and all it can provide.

But in Christ, we have been given a strength that goes so far beyond our capability. We have a hope that is more secure than the foundations of the earth. We have no need to fear when our hope is first and only in our great God.

When fear comes we need, from the depths of our soul, we need to remember the great promises He has given to us from within Himself. He has secured for us through the blood of Jesus Christ, and our great redemption in Him, strength and righteousness that flow from His great heart. His perfect love will cast out all fear. Reminders of His sovereignty, His power, His peace will provide all we need to face difficult days. Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, all suffering is short lived, and all troubles have an end.

God has promised to strengthen His children. We need only to cry out to Him for that promised help.

All of this keeps us firmly secured in our:

Hope in Christ: Anchoring our hearts in the eternal promises of God.

It doesn’t take much digging to find where our hope holds fast. A quick examination of Scripture reveals this wonderous truth:

Hebrews 6:19–20: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Because Jesus has gone before us, and because He has secured for us in Himself everything we would ever need or hope for, we can face every struggle and problem and trouble that comes our way. And, again, it is in Him, and it is for Him, and it is through Him, and it is for His glory that He has done these things. We know He is our Advocate. We know He is our Great High Priest. We know He is our God and He is our fortress. He is our Refuge. He is our hope.

And when the One who spoke the universe into existence promises to be the anchor for our soul, we can weather any storm, and we can proclaim a hope that is greater than we can describe.

Taking it home:

Find Balance: Staying informed without becoming overwhelmed

Call to Action: Set aside 10 minutes each day for focused prayer and meditation on scripture. During this time, bring your worries and gratitude to God, seeking His perspective on your daily challenges. Reflect on Philippians 4:6-8, allowing it to guide your thoughts towards what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy.

Faith Over Fear: Responding to crises with a biblical mindset

Call to Action: Memorize Isaiah 41:10 and repeat it whenever you feel fear creeping in. Create a prayer journal where you document moments of fear and how God has helped you overcome them, reminding yourself of His promises and strength. Share these testimonies with a friend or a small group to encourage others.

Hope in Christ: Anchoring our hearts in the eternal promises of God

Call to Action: Dedicate a specific time each week to study the promises of God found in scripture, starting with Hebrews 6:19-20. Write down these promises and place them where you can see them daily, such as on your mirror, refrigerator, or as a screensaver. Let these reminders anchor your hope in Christ amidst life’s uncertainties.