As I read through social media and Internet news sites, I am constantly amazed by the amount of fraud that is published. The equal access of the Internet means that all opinions, sources, and sites exist on a level field of view. Anyone can design an attractive and official looking site and post outrageous, untruthful, and blasphemous content. The reader must beware, and be discerning.
The problem is that when someone is suffering from chronic anxiety they have a low threshold of discernment. They tend to be drawn to news and content that reinforces their anxiety. Further, those who suffer from chronic anxiety have a low threshold for pain and when they feel threatened they instinctively respond with anger and fear. After time, chronic anxiety becomes habituated and the brained becomes hardwired in a vicious cycle of anxiety and fear.
Anyone who follows current events is well aware that we are in difficult times. The world economy is weak, terrorism and violence appears to be rising, and humans are migrating by the millions, which will change social demographics for decades to come. The problems facing global civilization seem to be beyond the present political leadership. The lack of strong and certain leadership gives the impression that the leaders themselves are chronically anxious which feeds the anxiety of the masses.
I’ve often been somewhat amused at how conservative, evangelical Christians (my own tribe) respond during difficult times. We’ve developed an escapist eschatology that looks to the stars (or blood moons) for assurance. This resembles pagan superstition more than the blessed hope of the Christian faith. We see demons and devils everywhere, which means that we tend to demonize our opponents and enemies when Jesus demands that we love and pray for them. I understand President Obama’s (for whom I’ve never voted) impatience and distrust of the Christian right. In the past seven years I’ve heard endless racist and inflammatory comments about him coming from the mouths of Christians. I don’t agree with his politics, and consider his foreign policy to be dangerous; but he is not the antichrist.
Our anxiety compels us to hoard – money, food, guns, and bullets. Some Christian publications routinely sell advertising for companies that cater to the anxieties of the Religious right. As we approach the Presidential elections anxiety rules the day and many are drifting towards the voices that reaffirm their chronic anxiety, instead of listening for the voices of hope.
In the midst of the cacophony of anxious voices, Jesus speaks:
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life. . . And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? . . . Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:24-34, ESV).
Jesus’ words tell us that the chronic anxiety of the religious right is not simply a disorder, it is sinful. It demonstrates a profound lack of faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We must be fully aware that we live in difficult days. But we must refuse to allow anxiety to destroy our faith and hope. Instead, we must approach the times soberly and prayerfully (1 Peter 5:6-8). We must trust in God who has chosen us by God’s foreknowledge (1 Peter 1:1-2) and predestined a New Creation (Ephesians 1:9-12).
I am not ashamed of the Gospel . . . for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day (Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:12).
