By Nancy Virden (c)2023

Heidi Klum, the model who served as a judge for years on The Voice television show, said on that show following a school shooting, “The world is crazy right now.”

Yep. It is. She didn’t mean each person was mentally ill because that would have included her. “Crazy” in this context meant bizarre, out of control. It seemed that way then and even more so now.

Nevertheless, this is not the first time the world has experienced such upheaval. With any understanding of history, we know past societies have suffered under cruel leadership (Hitler), insane leadership (Nero), ridiculous (albeit lethal) leadership (Henry VIII), and random attacks on the citizenry by domestic terrorists (Sudan). Plenty of examples of each are extreme and seemingly ageless and endless.

So why is it that our world seems untypically unsound currently? Part of it is because of the internet. Not only does news travel, it travels fast. There is too much news. The internet helps to spread nefarious plans quickly too.

Media companies are in a race to be the most titillating, enticing, and frightening source because those hooks bring in ratings which means money and power for them. The result is that nearly every headline is negative and worse than the last. Tabloid tactics used to be discourteous and in ill-repute. Now, “legitimate” news sources use those same tactics. Hence, the world seems scarier.

Still, there is the reality of what is going on. In the USA we have embraced some divisive notions, raising tensions across the board. Gay marriage, abortion, transgender healthcare for children, and charges of racism have raised the ire of many, leading to defensiveness and the inability to discuss in a civil tone. Parental rights in question, political extremism, a silly Senate in hoodies and shorts, an ex-president on trial, and a generation of kids leaning toward socialism and communism, the two evils that many of us are old enough to remember Americans fighting and dying to overcome. These are a few of the upheavals that affect us emotionally, raising our levels of uncertainty.

Civil disobedience is a light term to use with regard to domestic terrorism. School shootings, mass shootings in workplaces and in places of worship, and shootings aimed at children, are atrocious to the core. They define what I think Heidi Klum meant.

In some ways, rich people can hide behind their money. They can build literal shelters and financial shelters. They can stockpile food, weapons, and friends. Most of us are not rich and some are losing hope.

Meanwhile, I and others I know are at peace. This is not denial, no we are well-informed. The difference is that we have read the end of the newscast transcript. The last line is not, “Everyone dies.”

There are so many already-fulfilled prophecies in detail, in the Bible, that to not trust it now seems ludicrous. The end of the world’s future is this: things get worse; Christ returns; he judges the world; we spend eternity either in hell or in heaven. For those of you terrified of climate change, it will not destroy the earth. God will. Then he creates a new heaven and earth. I don’t know about you, but I want to be in that perfect world.

We have nothing to fear – there will be hardships, yes – but our future is secure when we have accepted Christ’s sacrifice and plan for ourselves.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

I Peter 1: 3-6 nlt

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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