Turn on the news for just a few minutes, and your heart will probably begin to feel heavy. Every day, the headlines seem darker: violence, division, uncertainty,
rising costs, broken trust. It is so exhausting! Many people are asking, “How much more can we take?” However, the question before us as a nation is not just what is happening, but how are we going to live in the middle of it all? Jesus spoke to this very tension when He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27, ESV). Notice that Jesus did not promise the absence of trouble; He promised peace in the presence of it. The world offers temporary calm;
consequently, Christ offers lasting peace.
The chaos around us does not have to become chaos within us. Scripture reminds us in Philippians 4:6–7, ESV: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Worry drains us, but prayer restores us. Anxiety focuses on what we cannot control; faith anchors us to the One who can. So what are we to do?
First, we must limit what we consume. Constant exposure to negative news without balance will wear down even the strongest spirit. Stay informed, but don’t let headlines discipline your heart. Secondly, we must reconnect with what brings life: prayer, Scripture, meaningful conversation, service, laughter, and rest.
Joy often returns when we stop scrolling and start serving. Thirdly, we must invest locally. You may not be able to fix the nation, but you can do many positive
things to strengthen your home, your church, and your neighborhood. Acts of kindness can create ripples of peace. Finally, we must trust God daily. Isaiah 26:3,
ESV declares, “You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Peace is not found by fixing everything around us, but by fixing our focus on God. When we choose faith over fear, prayer over panic, and purpose over despair, joy becomes possible again, even in chaotic times.
A final question for thought: In a world that thrives on worry, will you choose to be a carrier of peace or a spreader of negativity and despair? Always abound in
the faith, and never leave home without Him!
