For many years, I have tracked with interest the various events, geo-political movements and technological advances which have long been pointing to possible apocalyptic scenarios lying ahead. Things have ramped up, even in just the last few years, to the point that what was once a niche interest has become more commonplace, with many regarding events as not just of academic interest, but of current, vital importance.

Danger signs

Persecution of Christians has intensified across much of the world, most particularly in places like China, India, Nigeria and North Korea. Long-standing freedoms that Christians possessed are now under threat, even in traditionally ‘Christian’ countries in the West.

Prospects of nuclear war have heightened with the current Russia-Ukraine conflict. Technologies that can control spending, in a possible ‘mark-of-the-beast’ fashion, have been trialled in various ways, from the imposition of ‘vaccine passports’ to the sub-epidermal chips that allow activation of bank payments and control of devices. Various organisations are pushing for greater global control.

I am getting more and more concerned about the polarisation and one-sided thinking of many, not least Christians.

We can keep an eye on these things; we can add our voices to calls for guarding freedoms; and we can play a part in ensuring that, if things get much worse, we and others are not unprepared. However, I wrote recently of the dangers of black-and-white thinking, as I am getting more and more concerned about the polarisation and one-sided thinking of many, not least Christians, in this regard – which mirrors the secular polarisation that is occurring on various issues. It is a polarisation which risks diverting us from our true appointed task of preaching, in word and in deed, the Kingdom of God.

To bring in a little (layman’s) psychology, I perceive that fear is having a particularly pernicious effect – though it is not the only cause. Such fear was first apparent in those calling for lockdowns, the fear of getting close to others, the fear of the unmasked and unvaccinated, etc. It produced the blinkered policies and reactions that failed to consider the (unintended) consequences. Then the focus began to shift – to a fear of globalisation and authoritarian control.

Understanding fear

Now, brief, focused fear – or being in ‘threat mode’ – can be incredibly helpful, to help us respond to an immediate threat, as can a healthy awareness of upcoming challenges. But the fears that some have regarding globalisation go beyond using cautious preparation, or carefully raising awareness – to a hyperbole-filled terror, which sees danger everywhere, leaving them permanently in ‘threat mode’. Our bodies and minds were not designed to live in this state, which is dangerous both for ourselves and for those to whom we impart our fear.

It could also have unintended consequences for our communities and our nation, as it becomes more widespread. And, to quote the Centre for Clinical Interventions¹, “when we are in ‘threat mode’, our thinking becomes very narrow and negative … Our brain wasn’t designed to be sophisticated when it thinks we are in danger”, as it takes up more time – we need to move fast in these circumstances.

But this is the mode that many are operating in when they contemplate the threats that surround us. And if we remain in that mode, it will affect our sleep, our heart rate, our health, our thinking, and, ultimately,. could impact our faith.

For God exhorts us to fear no-one and no-thing – except Him alone. That, of course, is a different type of fear – one of reverence, and recognising His holiness and greatness, which is tempered by our knowledge of His everlasting and immeasurable love.

Combatting fear

Modern psychotherapy has some excellent suggestions to help us to get out of perpetual ‘threat mode’. It suggests ways that you can activate the body’s ‘soothe system’, also known as the ‘parasympathetic system’. This can include deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and reducing stressors on our bodies and minds. There are useful herbal remedies that can help too, such as chamomile, valerian, and ashwagandha.

These are all helpful, and can be a very good place to start. However, these aids don’t really get to the root of the problem, which is fear. And that is essentially a spiritual problem, requiring a spiritual solution.

Jesus – the perfect love who casts out all fear – has a lot of wise words for us in this respect, and we need to meditate both on Him, and upon His words, if we want to begin addressing this issue.

We need to begin with ensuring that our main focus is Jesus Himself, not the information that comes to us through YouTube links, articles, social media, emails, etc.

We need to begin with ensuring that our main focus is Jesus Himself, not the information that comes to us through YouTube links, articles, social media, emails, etc. If needed, come away from this altogether, at least for a time. This is because by reading and watching these media, we can feed the fear, causing even our prayer time to be focused on the perceived problem, rather than on Jesus Himself.

Learning from Jesus

The Sermon on the Mount has some sound advice. Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow (Matt 6:25). This means concentrating on what He is saying today; what we need to be doing; who we will be spending time with. (‘Today’ doesn’t just have to mean this current 24-hour period, but the present week, month, or moment.) Consider what is around you – the people, the feelings, the needs, God’s creation, the sensations. Don’t focus overly on the future – though there’s a due place for thinking ahead.

We need to develop trust in God. We can practise seeking Him for our own needs as well as those of others (Matt 7:7). This helps us to trust, which means fear struggles to keep a hold on us. Practise giving and serving (Matt 7:12). Practising kindness (and receiving it) helps to activate our ‘soothe’ or ‘parasympathetic’ system, thus pushing out fear. If we isolate ourselves in social media and the internet, we can’t activate this essential part of our created selves.

Returning to Matthew – chapter 10 – when sending His disciples out on a dangerous mission, Jesus had some sound advice. He prepared them for it – not practically, in this case, as they weren’t to take any material goods – but spiritually and psychologically.

He warned them that they would face persecution (Matt 10:17). They were to expect it, not avoid it, and not be taken by surprise. They needed to trust that God would give them the resources they would need in face of opposition – that the Holy Spirit would give them the words to say (Matt 10:19-20).

Giving God control

Those messages Jesus gave His disciples are just as pertinent for us. Do not be afraid (Matt 10:26,28). We may well face persecution, but if we trust in Him, God will give us the spiritual resources that we need, even to face death (Matt 10:28). We must hold onto material things lightly (“freely you have received, freely give” – Matt 10:8). Remember, as children of God, He has given us authority – we need to use it. Use it to banish demons and sickness – even to try and raise the dead if you want a real challenge! (Matt 10:8).

Ultimately, we need to remember that God is in control. We need to recognise it first on a cosmic scale: it is He who will conquer, and He reigns even now, though fulfilment is yet to come. If (and I say if, as differing eschatological approaches suggest a different pattern of events) a beast/antichrist scenario arises, which could indeed be soon, then it is God who has allowed it – and God will bring it to an end.

Breaking this hold of fear over our lives allows us to think and react more clearly. It enables us to move away from black-and-white thinking on this matter – and possibly many others – and restore relationships that are damaged. It enables us to live as God intended.

But as we recognise God’s control, we also need to hand over control of our own lives. He does not force us to do this – it is our choice.

He is with us

In the end, though, there is one vital thing that we need to remember. In one of His final instructions to His disciples, Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20). He is with us. Whatever we may go through, He is there beside us.

Psalm 23 makes the same point, suggesting that as we go through tough times – perhaps even the darkest valley – we need fear no evil, for God Himself is with us – at all times and in everything.

Notes

1. The Centre for Clinical Interventions, Building Self Compassion.