When you find yourself anxious about everything that’s going on in the world, a healthy dose of doubt can help alleviate your fears. When the world feels like it’s unraveling and your newsfeed is screaming that hope is lost, there is great comfort in the tiniest amount of doubt!

Maybe you’re worried that America is overrun by fascists. You’ve heard there are fascists in the White House, in Congress, in your neighborhood, and probably in your drinking water supply. You’ve been told that fascists will take over the country unless citizens gather in large groups, hold up signs, and harass law enforcement officers. Before you lie down in a busy street to block traffic and save democracy, ask a simple question: what even is a fascist?

If someone told you the country was overrun with moose, you would (probably) be able to figure out the truthfulness of that claim. You know what a moose looks like. You could just look around and take a quick moose tally. You don’t set traps or form a neighborhood militia unless the moose tally is higher than zero.

This system also works for fascists. Until you can reliably identify AT LEAST one, you need not fret that we’ve been “overrun.” Apply some skepticism to everything you hear and you’ll discover that we’re not teetering on the edge of extinction.

Demanding the eradication of a menace you can’t describe even if I bribed you with a year’s supply of artisan coffee; is costing you both peace and joy. You have nothing to fear from imaginary villains. If you can’t see the monster under your bed, maybe it’s because it’s not there.

The next time someone assures you that [insert source of evil] is ruining your life, remember the power of doubtfulness. A spoonful of skepticism keeps the worry away. Ask for specifics. Ask for definitions. Ask for sightings. If none are forthcoming, relax. Your drinking water is probably fine.

(1 Thessalonians 5:21) Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.