I get anxious sometimes—like the weight of the world is pressing down on me, and there’s no way to stop my mind from spiraling with all the darkness I see around me. Honestly, these past few weeks would make anyone feel that way.
Yesterday marked the 24th anniversary of a horrific terrorist attack—thousands of Americans went to work and never came home. Last week, I watched a video of a woman in my home state being killed while riding public transportation. Not long after, there were deaths at a Marshalls just ten minutes from my house. A little boy from my hometown went missing, and the outcome was devastating—he was only seven. And then, on Wednesday, I saw a man assassinated. Assassinated—a word I used to only associate with figures like Martin Luther King Jr. or JFK. To make it worse, hateful comments flooded the internet about this man who had just lost his life for exercising his First Amendment rights.
That’s a lot of darkness. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt, or that it didn’t make me scared—because it did. And I know something else will happen in this crazy world that will scare me again. But I’m not here to talk about politics. This blog isn’t about that. What you believe is what you believe.
What I do want to talk about is the heaviness so many of us are feeling. If you feel like the world’s weight is pressing on your shoulders, I want you to remember 2 Timothy 1:7:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.”
God doesn’t want us to be consumed with fear or anxiety about what’s happening around us. And I’ll be honest—I’m not always great at remembering that. But over these past few weeks, I’ve been whispering that verse to myself over and over until it feels written on my heart.
I’m not saying I’m okay with the evil and tragedy we’ve seen. It still breaks my heart. But I can also say that God has given me that sound mind—the quiet assurance that He is still in control. I don’t believe He orchestrates sinful or evil acts—He is a good God. But I do believe what Scripture says: He can take what’s meant for evil and still use it for His glory.
“The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” — Proverbs 16:4
Wednesday hit me especially hard. The weight of the past few weeks came crashing down all at once. I was scared—scared for the future of this country, for my sister in college, for Christians who boldly share the good news in a world that can be so hostile toward it.
So, I went where I knew I’d find comfort: church. That night, we sang “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” One line struck me deeply:
“What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near…”
Isn’t it amazing how God speaks to us right when we need it?
In times of fear or uncertainty—really, in any time—we don’t have to stand on our own strength. We can lean on Him. We can rely on Him. Cry out to Him. And if you’re a born-again Christian, remember: the Holy Spirit lives in you. His spirit is not one of fear but of power.
Cling to that truth. Write it on your heart, so when troubles come, you’re not ruled by fear but anchored in Him and His Word.
And if you need prayer or just someone to listen, please reach out. More than ever, God’s people need to stand together—praying for each other and for those who don’t yet know His love.
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