Faith in Turbulent Times

June 22, 2025

This just in: we live in turbulent times. Cities are burning, riots are raging, wars are being fought on multiple fronts, and on a more personal note, my hair is falling out this morning after having received radiation treatments a couple of weeks ago. So, when times are turbulent, what should we do? I don’t know how many television commercials I’ve seen or radio spots I’ve heard lately telling me to invest my money in precious metals. You can’t trust the stock market, they say, so you need to invest in something that will always carry value, like gold and silver. While I suppose that makes some sense if you are trusting in your money to settle the turbulence in your world, as Christ followers, Jesus warns us that trusting in money and earthly wealth will ultimately lead to spiritual bankruptcy (See Matthew 6:19-21). While many trust in their money to see them through the chaos, others place their trust in their brains, understanding, and wits to tame their turbulent life. However, much like trusting in our money and wealth, God tells us that trusting in our own understanding will also end in disaster. Proverbs 28:26 says the one who trusts in his own understanding is a fool. By the way, those are God’s words, not mine. I have also heard a lot of people say that the United States will be ok should a world war break out because we are the most powerful country in the world. May I remind these folks that Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome were the most powerful countries in the world during their day, and look what happened to all of them. To those who aren’t Christ followers, before you attempt to settle World War 3, I recommend you settle the war raging inside of you. You need to make peace with God through Jesus Christ. Fellow Christ followers, we need to double down, memorize, and plant both feet firmly in Psalm 20:7-9, which tells us, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses (military might); But we remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stand upright. Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.” Y’all, no matter how turbulent, violent, and confusing our world is, God is still on His throne and absolutely nothing that happens catches Him by surprise. Call me naïve if you want to, but I really believe that when we put our trust in God, in the end, everything will be all right. Now, it’s time for me to get up and go to the barber and get a close buzz cut because the hair that is falling out of my head is really itchy. Then, when the barber finishes cutting off all my hair, and I am bald, I’m going to Walmart to buy a lollipop so I can put it in my mouth and ask folks, “Who loves you, baby?” and then tell ‘em, “Jesus does”!

Be blessed and be a blessing . . . Bro. Andy