Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
    and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)

I think this picture is a fair representation of the world today. Don’t you?

Life can feel so out of control.

Troubles all around the world (Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Russia, China, Taiwan, Iran, etc. etc.),

AI.

Political shenanigans (on all sides – no finger pointing).

Violence on the rise.

People divided by racism, by religion, by politics, by economic status, by social status…

Noisy protests, counterprotests, protests against protests…

A Frasier reboot without Niles Crane.

The world has become such a scary place that one major online news outlet has a special link to stories about “extreme weather”.

Doom and gloom abound.

But, read this: we have no reason to fear.

Let me repeat: we have no reason to fear.

Why is that? Only God is sovereign.

What does that mean? It means God is in full control, and we are not.

It means “our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3, ESV).

It means “the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV).

It means God knows what He’s doing, and who are we to question His wisdom and ways. Romans 9 lays this out for us.

We are not in control. And that’s good news because it appears the engineer has jumped off the screaming disaster-bound locomotive.

We are not omniscient. We don’t know all the facts, nor do we know what’s going to happen in five seconds, let alone tomorrow. Nor are we omnipotent. We cannot thwart God’s will. Likewise, we are not omnipresent. We are bound by physical limitations, whereas God sees everything, everywhere, at all times past, present and future, laid out before Him. He is absolutely boundless and beyond our comprehension.

God is in control. We need to trust Him in all things great and small, personal and worldwide, for everything is in His hands. No matter how dire circumstances may seem. No matter how hopeless it all appears.

And God loves us. He offers us forgiveness, strength, peace, grace, hope, direction… everything we need. Don’t trust in what you feel. Don’t let fear, anxiety or worry grab hold of you. Pray with expectancy, thanksgiving and faith. Trust in God. Focus on Him and know it’s all OK.