All Scriptures are linked in this article. Please consider going to each one. Make it a Bible study, consider stopping with each Scripture and read it. Spend some time with Him, listening to and dwelling on His Word. Thank Him for the truth that it is.
Sometimes the cares of this world can cause untold worry, heavy burdens, deep sorrow, anger, frustration, depression, fears or distractions that can either send us to our Father or make us distant. Sometimes it’s just simply putting something before God (we all do it). But we can become overcome by these things, CHOKED — an imbalance that makes us wobbly and sometimes feeling defeated. Or some may feel that all their clamoring can change things. I believe it’s why the Word tells us not to fret over evildoers although we still can call evil, evil.
When it overwhelms…Pray and ask for relief from it. Cry out to Him.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalm 62:8
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from Him;
But when He cried to Him, He heard.
Psalm 22:24
Facebook Newsfeeds and the Latter Days
Just look at your newsfeed on Facebook (or any other Social Media site), you will see we are in the latter days (of the church for sure). Massive and record-breaking Fires, A Muslim Iman father training his children to kill (here in the U.S.), evil or lying leadership in Politics (seen our whole lives), rising crime, riots, sickness, possible famine. We watch videos of countries like Venezuela in turmoil, and yet in our own backyard we have similar wicked politicians inciting riots and lawlessness upon citizens, or any who disagree with them. Israel and the attack by Hamas (updated in 2023). The Bible says the wicked flee when no one is chasing them, so I pray the Lord will deal with them as He sees fit and hopefully soon. Keep praying, let that be your commitment.
Isaiah (5:20) says, Woe to those that continue to call evil good, and good evil. Putting darkness for light, and light for darkness. Giving us bitter for sweet — again, they do not know what they do. They will face a day of Judgment. Prayerfully for some, they will escape that because they will have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. And us praying matters. All our words of contention do not, and may even harm others.
We watch videos from YouTube, or read blogs with warnings of poisonous crops, GMO seeds, destroyed food plants, harm or good in vaccines, new diseases and vermin never heard of, banking, upheaval in politics, riots, protests and more. And on the other hand, that leads us to more videos on what we can do to avoid those things, build up our health or stamina, etc., it is endless. (I am not in any way saying these can’t be helpful, just try to keep yourself balanced with time spent with Him).
We have disrespectful and terribly licentious and condescending pro-athletes and Hollywood celebrities. We watch in horror at the sickening promotion of Pedophilia, CRT, trans surgeries, and disbelief that the school systems try to indoctrinate our children into believing aberrant behavior is normal. (And in coming back here to update this article in 2022, we have a President and others in his party, trying to push children to change genders, God protect these little ones).
Daily we are assailed with news of (now Covid 19 – edited into article 2020), Vaccines, Chemtrails, Volcanoes, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, terrorism, nuclear war threats, mass illegal immigration bringing in sex trafficked women & children, drugs, cartels, serious crimes (and more). Tremendously wicked evils being (espoused as the norm) make us stricken and sometimes in despair. Injustice and a total lack of common sense or the seared consciences hit us like tidal waves daily it seems. But this was all foretold.
Are you overcome by the bad news?
We can get so overcome by the cares of this world — the daily bad news. Where does it end? We should care about right and wrong, but what should be our response to it all so we don’t get bogged down? I know some end up just throwing up their hands, giving up. Others get caught up in it and seem to rail daily, others ignore it. Some may condemn you for just speaking about it (or not speaking about it). Just watch how you treat or speak about others and be factual, don’t speculate. Christians are to speak the truth, not slander. Others are severely depressed or concerned with the world today. What is the answer?
Let me attempt an answer which works for me (and needs to keep being applied), but search for your own right answer in His Word to find what is right in His sight between you and the Lord. If you feel called by the Lord to pursue whatever it is (that is not a certain sin), you certainly don’t answer to me. You belong to Him, and can trust your walk, and commit you way to Him (Psalm 37:3-5). Search His Word for wisdom. We should be praying without ceasing as we are forced to see/hear horrible things that vex our minds, by the filthy conduct of the wicked. But our words should continually be seasoned with salt and grace (Colossians 4:5-6; Titus 2:7-8).
Do you remember, believers are not supposed to judge the world (yet), thank the Lord for that (1 Corinthians 5:12-13), we have enough to deal with within the church. We see what men/women do in power and it may trouble us — a lot. We need to remember this is a spiritual battle, and commit to pray for them, respect them, be in subjection to them (1 Timothy 2:1-6; Romans 13:1-6; Titus 3:1). Remembering it is God who establishes or removes Kings. I’ve been guilty of doing it myself, wishing for vengeance (which will come – 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10), praying imprecatory Psalms 🙂 . But we need to remember God wants us to pray for all, since He desires none should perish. The passage in 2 Thessalonians linked above gives me some compassion for even the most wicked when I think on the end (Jude 22-23).
We are not of this world
We can’t go out of the world, so we can’t mark and avoid everything, or we’d have to live like the Amish. So remember not judging the world vs. judging the church (and honestly, this does not include those in church buildings that don’t have the gospel right). We can absolutely expose the doctrine, but they are not the church. We can pray for those who hate us, revile us, or spitefully use us (Matt 5:44). It is the hardest for me to pray for those who are especially wicked to others and seem bent on other people’s destruction. It is also difficult seeing all those I love in pain or suffering. I’m very empathetic, so I suffer with them in many regards. I am extremely grieved with the types of Terrorist killings in Israel that are perpetuated by Hamas and when Obama supported the Palestinians and chastised Israel, it was hard to not be angry. We see this all the time with our leaders concerning Israel. I can only imagine some of the evil powers behind these things. But God knows and He will be glorified in Israel one day regardless of what they say or do. But, the blessing and cursing still stands (to any leaders listening).
God brings him (Israel) out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox; He shall consume the nations, his enemies; He shall break their bones And pierce them with his arrows. ‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’
“Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you.” Numbers 24:8-9
Practical ways to deal with all that’s going on in the world
Here are some things to consider.
Don’t beat yourself up for not being able to emotionally handle some of the many vile things we are exposed to in our world. Even Jesus withdrew and took time to refresh. Are you doing that? When you are out there in the mire, just try to acknowledge Him more in your ways (Proverbs 3:5-6). We cannot allow ourselves to be overcome by these things. Remember what He said (John 16:33), we will have tribulation, but Hehas overcome the world.
Don’t let the evil in this world dominate and distract you from choosing the good thing, the needed thing (Luke 10:38-42). Don’t forget to take some time in hymns and songs (that have Biblically sound lyrics). Make a playlist and play it and sing to Him. It may seem trivial, but His Word does encourage this. This passage below has a whole lot of wisdom and advice packed in.
Let His peace Rule.
Be thankful.
Let His Word dwell in You. Teach and Admonish each other in Psalms, Hymns, spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to Him. Do all you do as unto Him giving thanks to the Father through Him.
How often do we forget to say thank You in sincerity for the many blessings we do have, vs. complaining about how bad things are?
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do allin the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Col 3:15-17
There are many distractions in this worl d
Martha was doing a good thing preparing much needed sustenance for Jesus and the weary disciples, but sometimes we can be distracted by many things, even good things. Maybe you need some time at His feet hearing His Word? When our soul clings to the dust, we need reviving with His Word. When our soul weeps or melts from heaviness, we need strengthened by His Word (Psalm 119:25,28). Trust the Lord and His Word to do what He says it will do. Hungry? His Word will provide food for you (Isaiah 55:10-11). Set your mind on things above.
Super Overcomers – More than Conquerors
This passage below contains a phrase that basically means ‘super overcomer‘. Thank God for today, and trust this truth, no matter how downcast you may feel. Because HE is for us, in us, and loved us with great loves, this is true for all believers:
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors (Super Overcomers) through Him who loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39
Let the Word dwell richly in you — apply it. It will add to your faith as we are admonished to add to our faith in (2 Peter 1:5-9). Mostly remember (again) Luke 10:38-42 gives us the answer we need to illuminate problems in our lives. That time spent with the Lord in His Word will never be taken from us. When you get worked up against those who exalt themselves against the knowledge of Christ, take these thoughts captive and bring them into the obedience of Christ. Remember what kind of battle we’re in and fight it spiritually. Don’t repay evil for evil, fight a spiritual fight not a carnal one. (Preaching to myself here too). Grant others grace, try to convince them by using His Word. Don’t condemn.
O ye of little faith
Even His Disciples were upbraided more than once for their lack of faith. We are frail human beings. He remembers this and loves us and has compassion on us as His beloved children. Don’t allow yourself to be choked by the cares of this world. We’ve believed God and His promise for our eternal destiny. How is it that so soon can we always be in such unbelief with the temporal fears? Sinking in the waves? Running about the boat in fear? Again, I’m reflecting on myself, and how true this has beeen at different times in my life.
God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). I remember that time of fear. We can be afraid, but when that happens, we are told to trust in Him (Psalm 56). He stores every last tear we shed — He cares. His precious thoughts towards us are more than all the grains of sand in the ocean (Psalm 139). He satiates the weary soul, and replenishes every sorrowful soul (Jeremiah 31:25). Don’t forget your first love, talk to Him, give Him your burdens to Him – no – CAST your burdens on Him. Lean on Him, trust in Him, not your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:2
Doesn’t it make sense to remind ourselves to move close to the Rock? He is the one mighty in battle, I want Him closer in the battle, how foolish to flee in fear taking myself further from the Savior. I don’t want to be distracted by the stormy waves beneath my feet, so I need to keep my eyes on Him not my circumstances.
Hurt and Trauma
We get hurt badly in this life, we lose loved ones, we suffer trauma even from an accident we weren’t in (like my son Adam). These are real deep feelings of sorrow. He empathizes and He knows our frame, that we are but dust. We try to carry the burdens of others and fall at times from our own weakness. We get sick, we have money troubles, betrayal, abandoment, death and worse. You know what you have gone through, nobody knows how much except Jesus. He cares, He is a man of sorrow acquainted with our grief (Isaiah 53). See more here on the Traumas and hurts in this lifetime.
When your heart is overwhelmed
When you find yourself overwhelmed remember this: When our heart is overwhelmed, we should cry out to Him, ‘Lead me to the Rock which is higher than I’ (Psalm 61). Thank Him for the shelter He has been, the strong tower He is from the enemy, and the fact that we will abide in His tabernacle FOREVER.
Fix your eyes on Jesus, keep your mind stayed on Him if you want to be in perfect peace (Hebrews 12:1-2; Isaiah 26:3). Trust in Him, don’t lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). Keep talking to Him about every detail and cast your cares upon Him before they build up (1 Peter 5:5-7). God cares about the little details of our lives, keep talking to Him about it, and trusting Him with the outcome. But spend some time delighting yourself in the Lord, Committing your way unto Him, trust in Him, He is the one who will bring it to pass (Psalm 37:3-5). Rest in the Lord and wait patiently. Again, don’t fret about these who are seeming to prosper in their wicked ways. They will be cut off one day.
There is a day coming that will be joyous for some, and a terrible realization for many. If you are not sure of where you might go when you die, PLEASE, I really beseech you — consider this LINK.
Fellow believers — Prepare as you can in prayer. Fight the good fight of FAITH in the meantime. Put your armor on daily. Don’t just be a hearer of the Word, be a doer, it will help so much. Stay close to Him and hear what He has to say in His Word. And when you go to bed tonight, think on His song over you (Psalm 42:7-8), a prayer to the God of my life.
Hi holly, i saw you mentioning pedophilia here. I recently hear that there are some people, including some christian brothers, who admit that they have sexual attraction towards children, but they know that pedophilia is wrong and they don’t want to act upon it. How should we deal with these people, do you think they are dangerous and bad people?
I think that if they have those thoughts, they need to take them captive and bring them into the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5) if they are Christians. As Christians they should be reminded there are severe penalties on this earth for sexual immorality and for hurting children (remember the millsone)? With that said, if they are His, they have His righteousness. They need to submit to God and resist the devil so he will flee. Getting off the internet sites, getting away from temptation, getting Christian counsel, all might be appropriate. If they are not committing the sin, I do not think we should judge them as either.
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Thanks for sharing, God bless you.
Derick, above many you understand about the cares of this world. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Hi holly, i saw you mentioning pedophilia here. I recently hear that there are some people, including some christian brothers, who admit that they have sexual attraction towards children, but they know that pedophilia is wrong and they don’t want to act upon it. How should we deal with these people, do you think they are dangerous and bad people?
I think that if they have those thoughts, they need to take them captive and bring them into the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5) if they are Christians. As Christians they should be reminded there are severe penalties on this earth for sexual immorality and for hurting children (remember the millsone)? With that said, if they are His, they have His righteousness. They need to submit to God and resist the devil so he will flee. Getting off the internet sites, getting away from temptation, getting Christian counsel, all might be appropriate. If they are not committing the sin, I do not think we should judge them as either.