There’s a storm brewing… Well, maybe. According to weather.com, “a disturbance in the Caribbean is likely to become Tropical Storm Rafael sometime Monday, and it could become a hurricane before entering the Gulf of Mexico.” To increase the intrigue, the forecast included a video complete with spots of green, yellow and red swirling out over the ocean and a cone of bright red illustrating the potential path of the storm. Everything about the forecast is designed to capture attention by tapping into our anxiety.
The headlines and images are impossible to miss. They portend the probability of coming chaos and destruction.
The headlines and images are impossible to miss. They portend the probability of coming chaos and destruction. But, if one were to scroll down the page and read a little more closely, one would realize it’s just as likely that the only “disturbance” that will develop is the storm in the hearts and minds of viewers and readers. The forecast warns readers that the disturbance is likely to become a tropical storm, that it could become a hurricane, but goes on to reveal that the storm should weaken before becoming a real danger. It’s possible the storm could develop into a raging hurricane, but it’s equally likely that it only results in some extra rain.
Weather.com is not the only site forecasting storms in the coming days. Over recent weeks we have been told a disturbance is developing on the civic front. Political pundits and experts for all parties involved continue to predict devastation and destruction in the days ahead if the wrong candidates are put into power. They continue to predict what is likely to occur and what could develop, but they often neglect what should, and what two centuries of US history tell us is likely to take place.
Our media saturated society is driven by panic. News channels, social media sites, and peddlers of information of all kinds understand that if they can tap into our anxieties and fears we are more likely to log in, listen, and stay connected. We are led to believe they give us this information for free, which is demonstrably untrue in a variety of ways, but the greatest and most immediate cost is our peace. We sacrifice our own inner peace. We sacrifice peace in our communities and our country. We sacrifice peace in our own homes. The price is unreasonably high for the product provided in exchange.
In these days, we could use some more gentleness, peace, and rejoicing. That’s the forecast given for those who put their faith in Jesus and leave their anxieties and concerns in His care.
Undoubtedly, we would be better served to turn our attention elsewhere. Worry has no power to make things better in the real-world; only power to make things worse in our hearts and minds. Rather than becoming pre-occupied with predictions and potentialities, we should turn our attention to the ONE who not only knows what lies ahead, but has the power to make things happen. That is what Paul encourages. In Philippians 4:4-7, he provides us with this very timely encouragement: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In these days, we could use some more gentleness, peace, and rejoicing. That’s the forecast given for those who put their faith in Jesus and leave their anxieties and concerns in His care. This side of eternity, storm clouds, both literal and metaphorical, will continue to swirl. There will be no shortage of those predicting sure and certain destruction. But, in the shadow of it all, God is still present and powerful. The old Sunday school song still rings true: “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” Rather than letting the anxieties of our age overtake us, we should take all of our concerns to the Lord. Consequently, He will give us peace that is beyond understanding to protect our hearts and minds through it all. Keep calm and carry your concerns to Christ; He’s got it all under control.
