America on Edge

Recently, Americans have been bombarded with fearful news, leaving many in a state of anxiety and nervousness. Time magazine’s cover read, “AMERICA THE ANXIOUS, Bush’s march toward war splits the nation, while terror leaves many scared and confused.” The source of anxiety of Americans stems not only from the threat of war, but the events of the last several months.
The February 24, 2003 edition of Newsweek states that, “The recent barrage of bad news – nukes in North Korea, snipers in Maryland, a failing economy, an imminent war, a threat of domestic terror – has left this priviledged nation feeling unusually vulnerable and uncharacteristically anxious.” I remember growing up as a child, I hardly ever worried about things like war, dangers of public places, strangers, the airport, etc. The United States was supposed to be the safe refuge from painful war-time memories of Vietnam. But by reading the current events, I find that no place on earth is immune from danger.
“We are living in a chronic heightened state of alertness and helplessness, prompted by a poorly defined…danger that could strike at any time in any form without warning,” wrote Drs. Afton Hassett and Leonard Sigal of New Jersey’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. One Los Angeles Chiropractor epitomizes the current mental condition of Americans when he stated, “The biggest problem was that I felt helpless…completely powerless over the situation.” Anxiety and fearfulness is caused by these feelings of helplessness. We worry because there is nothing we can do to control the outcome of world events.
Our only sure defense and solace is found in God. It may seem so simple but many people forget that God can help us through our fears. II Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” We do not have to be anxiety-ridden. God is more powerful than any turmoil in our world today. He will take care of our fears. “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday” (Psalms 91:4-6).
Warfare or domestic terror need not worry us. God has already told us in His word that all these problems are signs of the last days. If we trust in God, we do not have to be afraid of what lies ahead. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” We can be safe in God’s care.
Ly Lan Nguyen