Washington Post Headlines:

“Second Wave? Scientists Say World is Still Deep in the First”

Hurricane Isaias Batters Bahamas as Storm Targets Entire U.S. East Coast

What will happen next? It seems the more media sound bites there are, the more fearful one can get. With all that is happening in our world, even our communities, it is understandable the one can get a bit panicky. But here is an important question to ask: Where will the panic take you?

It can lead you to being in freeze mode, not knowing what to do or where to turn.

• It can lead to panic attacks. One may feel they are having a heart attack, when in essence it is the body that is experiencing a reaction of extreme fear. 
• It can lead to stress within, which lessens being relaxed enough to go to sleep, and it can cause you to either eat too much, or not much at all. 
• It can aid in the development of high blood pressure and other health issues. 

The issue is many focus on the situation, and not on the One who can handle whatever comes our way. Like the disciples who were in a boat, on their way to the other side. Then a horrific storm arose, and their boat was tossed back and forth, with water entering the boat at a rapid speed. The wind picked up speed, and they were afraid the boat would capsize. The disciples, focusing on the situation of the moment, quickly woke up slumbering Jesus for help. They forgot they had earlier witnessed what Jesus did through teaching and healing. I’m sure they were screaming at the top of their lungs, asking Jesus if he was at all if they died in the storm. Once awakened, Jesus rebuked the wind and calmed the sea by saying three words:

 

“Peace! Be still!”

Mark 4:39 (NIV)

The disciples were amazed at what took place, and how everything became peaceful, once Jesus took control of the situation.

Let’s fast forward to today’s headlines. Where is your focus? Think of a time when you were in distress, and how you summoned Him to come to your aid. Did He not do it? If He did it then, can you believe that He will do it again? God provides a promise:

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose eyes are stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ” Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

Regardless of what is going on in the world at large, and in your life, the emphasis should be on what God can provide. We must always go to Him with everything, because He cares for his children (I Peter 5:7). The challenge is to strategically purpose our minds to focus on what He can do instead of emphasizing the scary happenings of life. Make it your goal to shift your focus from the latest headlines to the lasting promises of God, receiving the perfect peace we so desperately need in these troubling times.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NIV)