Scott Quayle

“I feel like the world has gone crazy, and it is the end days.” This was a statement that a client made recently as we were working through their anxiety. It is easy, with all that is in the news and on social media, to have a sense of hopelessness and fear, but is that what we as Christians should feel? In John 16:33, we are told, “I have told you these things, so that in me you have
peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” God sees you and hears your prayers and wants you to always know you are not alone. Whether it be your spouse or your church, there are others in your life who are looking for the same stability and safety you are.

But how do we do that? Most of us worry about being a burden to our partner and do not want to weigh them down with our fears and anxieties. We, of course, don’t consider that they are feeling the same way and do not want to burden us, or perhaps are already feeling the weight of what is bothering us. Love is a funny thing that way. In Galatians 6:2, we are told: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Communication is always hard, especially when dealing with tough subjects, but the price of not communicating bears a cost that may not be seen until much later. When you are having a tough time, and the weight of the world is on your shoulders, try not to bear it alone. Share your burden by talking to your spouse or someone else who is likely feeling the same way.

On a practical level, that may mean using “I” statements such as “with everything going on in the world right now, I feel weighed down or scared.” “How are you doing?” This can start a conversation about world events or possibly something else that you did not know or think about.
Pausing before you respond shows that you are more interested in listening to your spouse than you are in planning your response or comeback. Practicing reflective listening, where you reflect back their core message and emotions, shows that you understand what they are saying.

We live in a very fragmented and isolated society, though we are connected better than ever before. Unfortunately, the divisions in our society often overpower the benefits of that connection. As you make your way through the months and years ahead, remember that God is still on the throne and that his Son overcame the world and all its pain and division. What is
going on right now is not a surprise to God and is not making Him wonder what to do next. We can have faith that God is in control and will do His will at the appointed time, just as He has said.