Anxiety for as long as I remember

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VictorBravo

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I debated internally whether this should be in Devotions, Covid, Pilgrim's Progress. Since it contains a music video, I settled for this forum.

Some 34 years ago, I was driving a new-to-me used tractor with a radio. I was halfway through disc-plowing 500 acres of winter wheat stubble. The sun was going down beyond the Tobacco Root Mountains. Gophers were scurrying around looking for their homes that I had plowed under. Bald eagles were circling for dinner.

And the song from REM came on the radio: The End of the World as We Know It.

As I listened, I reflected on the duck and cover drills in elementary school in the 60s. Also how, when we lived in Great Falls, MT, my Mom told me matter-of-factly that we lived in a target zone because of the Strategic Air Command base next door. Dad was dealing with Minuteman Missile construction projects throughout Montana. Twenty plus years before REM came out with their song, I was resigned to the end of the world as we know it. But there I was, doing what farmers had done since the time of Cain.

It seems like we've had existential anxiety for as long as I've been alive, probably longer. But, strangely, I could not help but get a kick out of listening to the old song.

25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (Matt. 6:25 NKJ)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7 NKJ)

 
I reflected on the duck and cover drills in elementary school in the 60s
I remember those as well. Because of the large glass windows in the classrooms, we had to go into the hallway and sit on the floor with our backs to the wall, put our head between our knees, and hands on the back of the neck. A lot of good that would have done if the airbase and aircraft factory a couple of miles away had been nuked.

I think I've told the story here, but 10 or so years ago, Pravda printed a list of the top 50 current targets in the US. The building I officed in made the list. Because of what we did there. The office has recently moved two streetcar stops down the street, I hope the Russians have updated their target list.
 
The message I keep receiving, more now than ever during Covid times - from my work, government, doctors, strangers, media, friends, many in the church including in authority, family, leaders. . . is

fear fear be afraid fear fear.

I am so sick of it.

Some Christian friends and family and leaders have said Fear Not. A very few.
 
The message I keep receiving, more now than ever during Covid times - from my work, government, doctors, strangers, media, friends, many in the church including in authority, family, leaders. . . is

fear fear be afraid fear fear.

I am so sick of it.

Some Christian friends and family and leaders have said Fear Not. A very few.

I concur, and heartily sympathise! Fear mongering on the left, and fear mongering on the right. It’s wearisome indeed! I remember duck and cover, the coming new ice age, end of fossil fuels, the coming new heat wave age, and now TEOTWAWKI super plague Covid (which sorta pales in significance to nuclear destruction, freezing to death, and complete desertification of the planet! :). )

Thank the Lord for His word which tells us to Fear not! Be strong and courageous!


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