History is cyclical. There always seems to be a reason for people to panic or worry. Whether it’s the climate, a disease, or tumbling financial markets, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the news of the day. It’s important to keep our perspective when worry creeps into our hearts. The first thing to remember is God has been in control since the beginning, and He will be in control at the end. Nothing His creation does catches God off guard. Our omnipotent Creator always has a contingency plan.
Not only is He in control, but He is also always with us (Deuteronomy 31:6). We face nothing on this earth alone. While the media often declares we are experiencing the worst crisis in history if you’ve lived long enough, you know we’ve seen this all before. As Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived once said, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
Jesus told us we shouldn’t worry about Earthly needs (Matthew 6:31-33). He knows we need food, water, and clothing. These are universal requirements, and He is aware of what we need. His response to our worry? He said, “Don’t worry!” and encouraged us to seek Him first and get on with our mission of bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. Our circumstances will always change, the good times and the bad will ebb and flow. There is nothing new, so we should all just calm down. God is in control. He is with us, and He has told us not to worry.
Since Jesus told us not to worry, we are living in disobedience if we go on doing so. Worry and anxiety will eat you from the inside out causing physical and mental distress. Do you think that’s a state Christ wishes for you? Of course not, but it’s the exact place Satan wants you to find yourself. When we worry, we are not placing our faith in God. I know this because if we had given everything into His hands, we would rest in His overarching, all-powerful love. Instead, we pretend to trust in Him only until the next news story or stock market update. Then we’re right back to worry and anxiety. There is nothing new here either. This is one of the devil’s oldest and most successful deceits.
Don’t worry about what the media is telling you. Don’t feed their panic and paranoia. This world is not our own. The worst thing that could happen to us would result in going to meet our Savior which turns out to be the best thing that could happen to us! There is nothing new under the sun. Disasters will come and go, so will times of heartache, pain, sickness, and financial struggle. These are all part of the sinful world in which we live. More than anything, dire circumstances should remind us of the urgency of spreading the Gospel of Christ. Don’t panic, don’t worry, and don’t stress. There is nothing new. We’ve been here before and God has guided us through. He will do so again. Surrender completely to Jesus and relax in His eternal and all-powerful love and provision for you.