Faith Over Fear of the FutureSample

In a World of War, BE CALM

Replace anxiety and worry with true peace.

We live in an age when a single nuclear submarine carries more destructive power than all of the bombs dropped during WWII—including the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Is it any wonder we feel anxious when we see footage of conflicts abroad and hear talk of another world war brewing?

Our Lord told us, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled” (Matthew 24:6). The Greek word for “be troubled” means to be terrified, to cry aloud, to scream. Jesus was telling us not to panic, even when we are surrounded by wars and rumors of war. How is that possible? The answer is wrapped up in the peace we can find from God’s promise, God’s presence, and God’s plan.

The truth is that, in any age, peace between nations and people groups is tenuous at best. It is dependent on so many factors—none of which seem to be within our power to control—that more of the last three thousand years have been spent in conflict than in peace. And yet, we serve a God who has told us not only that we can have peace but commands us not to fear.

We can choose to be “not troubled” by the reality of war because God has promised that, one day, war will no longer be a reality. War will cease. Like you, I feel grieved by the conflicts that harm and destroy so many, especially so many innocent people. We may ask good questions about why these things happen. But the day is coming when Psalm 46 will be fulfilled: “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth” (v. 9).

While we are never promised a life of no conflict on this side of heaven, we are promised peace that passes understanding. If you find yourself worrying about the state of the world and anxious about the future, there is good news for you. Ours is a God who raises up nations and rulers—and brings them low—all in accordance with His perfect plan for the end of the age. And He has already secured the victory.

We live in a world that will war from Armageddon to Armageddon, but we serve a Lord who reigns from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2). Let not your heart be troubled! Trust Christ and be calm.