What Faith Looks Like in an Unraveling World

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2

Four years ago, I stepped back into my school building alongside my fellow teachers, returning for the first time since we’d left for spring break in March 2020. COVID-19 was still in full force, and our return was marked by uncertainty, anxiety, and a sense that everything could change at a moment’s notice. Reflecting on those days now, I’m struck by how profoundly that season reshaped not only our lives but also the very fabric of our society.

Looted stores burn — In a world shaken by unrest, it’s easy to wonder where hope fits in. Yet, even here, faith calls us to trust in God’s redemptive plan.

Today, we’re facing new challenges-rising crime, economic uncertainty, and a wave of social unrest and incivility that reaches into every corner of society. Some areas have faced extreme, well-publicized turmoil, but no part of the country has been unscathed. And this isn’t just an American issue; around the world, nations wrestle with similar tensions, reminding us of the truly global nature of these challenges.

Anxiety in Today’s World

Consider this: two-thirds of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, reflecting a collective struggle with anxiety over social, economic, and political uncertainties that touch every area of life.

Even though this was a broad poll of Americans in general-people of all faiths and no faith-I know many Christians are struggling with the same anxieties and concerns. Personally, I grapple with my own as I try to be a light in a world that often feels increasingly dark.

Some Christians insist that faith should banish any anxiety about today’s issues, that trusting God means never feeling fear or doubt. While this idea sounds deeply spiritual, is it realistic? Is it even advisable? Blindly dismissing our concerns could leave us unprepared for real dangers that require God-given wisdom and discernment.

urban traffic — Life’s chaos can feel like a freeway at rush hour—blinding and unrelenting.

Trusting God with Wisdom

While faith calls us to courage, it doesn’t equate to recklessness. Imagine trying to walk across a bustling five-lane interstate just after sunset. Such a choice isn’t an act of bold faith but one of dangerous foolishness.

This balance between trust and wisdom is reflected in Scripture. When Satan tempted Jesus in Luke 4:9-13, urging Him to jump from the Temple’s highest point, quoting Scripture to suggest God would protect Him, Jesus replied:

“The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.'”

This reminds us that while we trust God, we are also called to act with discernment and wisdom.

Faith in Action, Not Recklessness

During the pandemic, many of us advocated for safety measures-not out of a spirit of fear but out of a prudent desire to exercise wisdom. That perspective is valuable now as we navigate our lives in an increasingly chaotic world, with so much toxicity in our public discourse.

Teacher and children with face mask back at school disinfecting hands — Masks and distance became the norm, yet even in isolation, faith bridges the gaps, offering connection and comfort in uncertain times

Paul’s escape from danger in Acts 9 wasn’t cowardice but a wise, faith-driven decision. After his conversion, Paul boldly declared Jesus as the Messiah, drawing dangerous threats from powerful leaders. Yet instead of facing them recklessly, his followers wisely helped him escape by lowering him in a basket through a hole in the city wall. It was faith in action that recognized the balance between trust in God and practical choices.

Similarly, Joseph fled with Mary and Jesus to Egypt when Herod sought to kill the child. This wasn’t a failure of faith; it was faithful obedience to God’s direction.

A Christian Response in Troubling Times

I’m not here to prescribe how believers should navigate the complexities of viruses or political and social upheaval, as each response must be guided by individual conviction and Godly wisdom. Some situations call for us to take a stand, like David courageously facing Goliath when God called him to confront danger directly. Yet other times, wisdom led him to flee in fear of his life from Absalom, his rebellious son, recognizing that a strategic retreat was necessary for survival.

As Christians, we are called to bring light to others, regardless of where they stand-through acts of kindness, listening without judgment, and speaking words of hope. It’s in these moments, even during divisive times, that we reflect God’s grace. Amid fear, anger, or hostility, let’s uplift one another and embody the mercy God has so freely given. Now more than ever, our world needs believers who act with wisdom, faith, and love.