“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”
-Psalm 62:8 ESV
Many years ago I remember taking an advertising class. In it, I remember learning that some of the most powerful advertising appeals are those that evoke: humor, fear, and anger.
You’ve probably noticed that news content seems to regularly operate in the fear and anger territories. In other words, they can get you to act by evoking fear or anger. Now, you may say, “It’s news. What are they trying to get me to do?” Often they simply want you to come back and keep consuming more news. Remember this: they must have viewers and readers—that is their business model.
Now, I’m not being cynical on all news content. I try to regularly stay aware of what is going on in the world. However, sometimes I can find myself getting stirred to anger or fear. Sometimes I find myself experiencing a news event on the other side of the world as if it were happening to me! Other times it can feel addictive to keep coming back for more.
Among many wild things I’ve heard in the news, the last couple of days I’ve heard:
news speculating about World War 3
news speculating about conspiracies
news speculating about a historic crash of the stock market/economy
You know what: sometimes they are correct. Often they are not, and we live our lives in addictive anger and fear, only to return for more anger and fear (even when the events they predicted don’t happen!). But even if they are correct, we have hope that they can’t take away.
For Christians, you and I can face tomorrow unafraid because we have a God in whom we can always trust: “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8 ESV).
Christian, be aware of what’s going on in the world, but don’t buy into the fear and anger. We have eternal, solid, and unchanging hope. We can trust in God at all times. If you struggle to do that at times, like me, then pour out your heart before him (as the psalmist says). Ultimately, and thankfully, Christianity is about good news (i.e., the gospel of Jesus Christ).