Are you worried? You should be, if social media is your pastor. Evangelicals are fighting with each other, conservatives are fighting with each other, and formerly sane people are treating Nick Fuentes with respect and dignity. Meanwhile, a socialist named Zohran Mamdani was elected Mayor in New York City. Every news outlet is publishing box scores of violence like it’s a sporting event. When doom scrolling provides the text for your daily devotions, freaking out is an appropriate response.

But chaos isn’t a brand-new invention. Evil has been around longer than evil-doers. Cain killed Abel before there was cable news to report it. Every generation thinks they’re going to be the last civilization on Earth. That’s because every generation forgets where blessings come from.

We see the rise of violence and think it means the fall of order. But take a breath. Did you notice that the sun came up today? The Earth is still doing laps on schedule. Gravity hasn’t quit its job even though the government is shut down! Chaos isn’t winning the big battles.

It’s fashionable (and profitable) to panic right now, but panic has never been a fruit of the Spirit. Evil’s favorite trick is to make you forget who’s in charge. The headlines don’t prove that God’s losing control; they prove that humanity still believes the fate of creation depends on us.

So, Nick Fuentes is running his mouth, radicals are getting elected, and some people are choosing violence to express disagreement. Above it all, God keeps your heart beating even while you sleep. You can worry if you want, but it won’t change anything.

Instead of freaking out, tell God you’re grateful. He’s responsible for every good thing that you’ve ever experienced. Just pick something that has brought you joy and say, “Thank you!” Then, pick something else and do it again.

(Psalm 46:10) “Be still, and know that I am God.”