Finding Peace in a Fear-Mongering World? :: By Jonathan Brentner

A realistic look at our world is enough to generate much anxiety. The widespread wickedness, violence, government corruption, and continual rumors of WWIII and/or terrorist attacks often set off alarms concerning our future well-being. I write as one who is not immune to the panic that comes from living amid the multiple threats to our livelihood and safety.

Where do we go when the perils of this life spark anger within us or cause us to retreat within ourselves in fear of what might happen next?

The most popular response today is to fall for the illusion that all will be well in the future. The lure of solutions that offer refuge apart from the arms of Jesus is strong; we must be aware of their appeal so that we do not place our hope in them.

Cisterns that Hold No Water

During a recent interview, David Fiorazo asked me about how those who dismiss the promises of Bible prophecy deal with today’s terrors. I offered one suggestion, but as I have continued to think about his question, the words of Jeremiah 2:13-14 have sparked other possible responses. Below are the words to this passage that speak to both those in Christ and those who have not placed their hope in Him:

“Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
declares the Lord,
for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

Below are several “broken cisterns” that only give the appearance of relief in our fear-mongering world.

1. Mainstream Media

The mainstream media, which includes the likes of CNN, ABC, CBS, and MSNBC, first creates fear. These news outlets create panic through false narratives regarding such things as climate change or pandemics in order to lead people to their empty remedies that provide no lasting relief and often generate more anger and fear.

The words of Proverbs 13:20 aptly sum up the difference between looking at today’s woes through the lens of Bible prophecy versus that of relying on what the mainstream media offers. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

The root word for “companion,” in the original, pictures the idea of sheep grazing in a pasture. Those who “graze” upon the world’s perspective offered by the mainstream media will surely “suffer harm” because it always leads to a rejection of biblical wisdom.

2. Gaslighting

The mainstream media furthers today’s rampant deception by repeating and substantiating false claims. It’s gaslighting, the repeated confirmation of lies that contradict both what we see and hear. In just the past few weeks, I have either read or heard all of the following affirmations presented as though they were well-established facts:

• President Biden has a perfect memory. (Yes, I read this.)
• The Biden administration has lowered the U.S. debt level.
• The COVID injections are totally safe and effective.
• Illegal immigration at the Southern border is fully under control.
• Illegal immigration is totally out of control and thus a dire threat to our security solely because of the prior president’s failure to deal with the matter.

It doesn’t matter that such statements contradict reality or even each other; people accept them as truth because they repeatedly hear the same lies on mainstream news outlets. These purveyors of evil know that if they repeat a lie often enough, many will blindly accept it as the truth.

3. Conspiracy Theories

What about those of us who point out the valid threats to our future well-being? Oh, according to those wishing to ignore the threats, what we say lacks any connection to the real world. Those seeking water in the broken cisterns of today regard our warnings as “conspiracy theories.”

Sadly, many Christians also close their ears to those of us who connect today’s world with Bible prophecy. “What we see today are not signs of the last days,” they say, “but rather the products of conspiracy theorists who begin with what they read or hear in the news and then twist Scripture to match.”

4. Help Is Most Certainly Not on the Way

In the past, I placed too much of my hope in political solutions. I eventually discovered the futility of thinking that politicians can reverse the current path of corruption, evil, and violence in my country. They cannot.

I’m not saying we as believers should abandon this arena altogether, just that we recognize the futility of hoping that winning elections will eliminate the perils of our day and reverse the course of one’s nation. I know from experience that such a path leads to great disappointment.

Former President George W. Bush ran for the high office with the campaign slogan, “Help is on the way.” However, this quip from Ronald Reagan is far closer to the truth, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”

5. The Church and Modern-Day Vendors of Peace

The most popular coping mechanism among Christians today is that of trusting the church rather than the Lord Jesus for deliverance from the evils of this age.

The words below, taken from Kari Jobe’s song “Amen (Simple Gospel),” exemplify this misplaced confidence and, not only that, do greatly dishonor to the Name of our Savior:

The church will arise
With power and love
Our cities will know
The glory of God
The future is bright
There’s nothing to fear
Revival is now
The Kingdom is here.

The current popularity of seeking refuge inside the walls of our churches results from pastors who promote this illusion of security from the ills of our day. They peddle peace at a time when it most surely doesn’t exist.

In response to the warnings of Jeremiah and Ezekiel concerning God’s judgment on ancient Judah, those charged with the spiritual care of the people at that time proclaimed “peace, peace, when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14 and also Ezekiel 13:10).

I believe the Lord’s message to many pastors today would mirror the rebuke that He spoke long ago to the spiritual shepherds in ancient Judah. Like the mythical sandman, they lull people to sleep with fanciful dreams of a future filled with peace devoid of the Lord’s soon intervention in our world.

The Name of the Lord

There is a safe place amid the terrors of today. The words of Proverbs 18:10 very much apply to us today:

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

The “name of the Lord” consists both of the words of Scripture He has given to us and His indwelling presence through the Holy Spirit in us.

When I feel the assault of the devil seeking to instill fear/anger within me because of what I see in today’s world, I run to the arms of Jesus. I do this by:

1. Immersing My Mind on Passages About Jesus’ Appearing

I feel the Lord’s comfort when I immerse my mind in biblical texts that speak to His imminent appearing and the glory that will be ours in eternity. Although I have read passages 1 Corinthians 15:47-58, 1 John 3:1-3, Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:1-4, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 perhaps hundreds of times, reading them afresh still encourages my heart.

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, inspired the words of such passages to relieve our fears and encourage our hearts (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 5:11).

Please don’t discount the calm that comes from immersing yourself in passages of Scripture that speak to the joy and glory that’s headed your way in eternity.

2. Regarding Today as Biblical Times

I first heard the words, “We live in biblical times,” while listening to a Dr. David Reagan interview, and remembering this truth always brings me back from the brink of unnecessary fear. The Bible said the world would be like this in the last days.

This truth reminds me that God remains sovereignly in control of history and along with that, shouts to me that Jesus’ appearing to take me home is ever so near.

The message of Bible prophecy assures us that the One who so accurately revealed the future to prophets long ago (Isaiah 46:8-13) is more than able to keep His promises to us today.

3. Seeing the Certainty of God’s Judgment on Today’s Pervasive Wickedness

When the darkness of today threatens to overwhelm my soul, I often retreat to the words of Psalms 37 and 94. There’s something about seeing the certainty of the Lord’s future judgment on widespread evil, such as we now witness, that enables me to deal with what I see.

Yes, the villains of our day appear free to perpetuate murder, lawlessness, deceit, and violence with no one holding them accountable. Most will never see the inside of a jail cell, regardless of what they do. However, the Lord will bring them to justice, and it will be far worse than a prison sentence.

4. Casting All My Cares Upon the Lord

During the past year, I have read 1 Peter 5:1-11 more times than I can remember. I have found that casting all my “anxieties” or “cares” on the One who cares for me brings sweet relief to my soul. Whether it be the angst I feel from current events, nagging concerns, or that of dealing with those who fervently oppose my ministry, the visualization of casting all these things onto the hands of the Lord always calms my heart (vv. 6-7).

If you trust Jesus as your Savior, please recognize that He alone is your place of refuge. When the threats and concerns of this world overwhelm you, run to His loving arms and shove all your troubles onto the hands of the One who dearly loves you. His “name” remains the “strong tower” of refuge in a world gone mad.

If you have not yet put your trust in Jesus alone for eternal life, please, please read my post, Jesus Is the Only Path to Eternal Life. In it, I explain how you can know that Jesus has forgiven all your sins and that you possess eternal life and with the sure hope of receiving an immortal and incorruptible body at Jesus’ appearing (1 Corinthians 15:48-54).

Please don’t delay; call upon Jesus while you may! Tomorrow may be too late to avoid the death and destruction that is surely coming to our world.

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Note: In Hereafter, It’s Far Better Than You Can Imagine, Terry James and I describe the future glory that awaits us as believers beginning with Jesus’ appearing to take us home. From beginning to end, we emphasize the jubilant joy that awaits us in Heaven. The last chapter contains twenty-seven frequently asked questions and answers pertaining to Heaven and our experience there.

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