Our lives, the world we live in now-a-days, is so complicated, so busy, so much information to take in. If we are not worried about where our next meal is coming from, then we are blessed. If that is the case, then our brains are probably flooded with all the other chaos that goes on. So many decisions to be made, so many choices, so much information. You would think that having access to all this information any time, anywhere, like google, internet, Alexa, GPT chat, would make life easier. In some ways it is very convenient. But in other ways it makes life more stressful.
There are so many things out there that look like answers to your problems. But are they really answers? There’s no one thing that will solve every problem of course. There’s no one pill, or book, or method, drink mix, no one particular organization, or politician that’s going to solve all our problems. We can’t even tell if what we are reading, seeing, hearing or being told is true anymore! Our own eyes can deceive us. Movies, videos, pictures that appear to be real are manipulated, falsified, distorted and deceiving. How can we tell what is true and real and accurate?
Some people are so convinced of something that they can’t even consider other possibilities. The bickering goes back and forth without really listening to the other side. The mistrust builds and the insults are thrown. Traditions and values are thrown out, abandoned. Relationships are broken, cut off, and destroyed. I feel like there wasn’t as much expected of us in life before, as there is now. Anyone else feel this way?
Our lives are so busy, but it is important to make meaningful connections with people. We have to be intentional about it or it simply won’t happen. We need to connect with others to share our ideas, thoughts and concerns. It is important to connect so that we can know that there are others who are struggling with the same issues or experiencing the same frustrations about life that we are. This fast paced world we live in has made more people feel isolated today, than in past years.
It is necessary for Christians to connect with other like minded Christians so we can encourage each other. Or else the negativity in the news will bring us down and make us feel alone or hopeless, wondering about what the future holds. If you can not connect with people in person regularly, try a phone call in the evening. Talk for at least twenty minutes or so and then send a text to them the next day thanking them for listening and let them know how much it meant to you to share that time with them. Try to do this with different people and I think you will feel more hopeful, more alive, more in touch with reality.
When hearing new news, we need discernment. Unfortunately, we cannot believe everything we hear right away. Reading our bible is one way to keep a proper perspective on things. God is still in control, even if it may not seem like it. He has a good plan. We may not understand why things are the way they are but we need to keep the faith and encourage others too. Thanking God for our blessings, no matter how small, helps too. If we don’t appreciate what we have, things will only look worse and worse.
If your life feels chaotic right now, if the news has you feeling worried and unsure of the future, please turn off the television, computer, etc. and take a walk outside, call a friend or family member, say hello and ask how they are doing. Smile at others walking by, say a prayer of thanks, and if you are a Christian, remember that this world is not our final destination. We have hope and a future with Jesus Christ our Lord. I am praying for you, and I pray that you feel less lonely and that life will feel less chaotic for you soon!
