Wars. Rumors of wars. What we see on TV lately no doubt produces fear, anxiety and depression. I know because I’ve experienced some of those emotions. But what do we do about it?

Matthew 24:5-8 says, “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

“See to it that you are not alarmed,” Jesus said. 

I believe that we are living in the last days. I believe we are seeing fulfillment of prophecy, as The Stream has covered. But what now? Are we to focus on the fear and anxiety that we have when we watch the news? Are we alarmed? 

Do Not be Afraid

One of the many themes in the Bible is “fear not.” One of the best-known passages of this is Isaiah 41:10, a verse I’ve known since childhood when I struggled with anxiety. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Think, too, of David’s Psalm 27:3, which seems particularly relevant now: “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” Why was he confident? Verse 1 explains: The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?”

My Salvation and Stronghold

I have found that the stronger my relationship is with Jesus, the more I know His Word, the less I am afraid. What do I have to fear if God is my salvation and my stronghold? Part of my confidence is in knowing that God has already won the war, even though we seem to be in the midst of the battle. But we know how this story ends. Our confidence must be in Jesus and the relationship we have with Him. Verse 13 calls for faith: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Regardless of where we stand now, God is good. He remains good. He remains faithful. He will never change, even if our circumstances do. 

David ends Psalm 27 with a desire for patience and the knowledge that God is in the midst of the battle. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

In the very next chapter, David gives praise to God for hearing his prayers. “Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.” (Psalm 28:6-8)

We must let God be our fortress and our salvation. We must run to Him in our storms, including our fear of war. God knows. He is there. He will comfort us in the middle of the darkness. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

Listen to Casting Crowns sing Praise You in the Storm:

Nancy Flory, Ph.D., is a senior editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.