Living in a World Gone Wrong

By the time I got home, I was so agitated that I could hardly go to sleep.

Last week I went to visit my dad in the hospital which is three hours away, and during the six total hours spent in the car driving to and from the hospital, I made the mistake of tuning into CNN, HLN and FOX news on XM Radio. I obviously should have kept my dial on KLove like I usually do, because my heart would have been infused with joy instead of irritation and frustration.

I listened to a debate on HLN about Candace Cameron Bure’s proud admission to being a submissive wife, which included a few irate and loud women berating men and the biblical view of marriage.  I listened to Governor Christie’s lengthy press conference about the Washington Bridge scandal, and then all the debates and opinions that followed, many of which didn’t even line up with the facts. And, how an Oklahoma group wants a statue of Satan erected at the State House.

I listened to advocates try to convince people why legalizing marijuana was a good thing, while tossing out the truths that it’s addictive, dangerous for children, and overall a bad idea, and disputing that since the legalization in Colorado, there has been a spike in crime and drug overdoses. I listened to people debate over the value of life – not only when life begins, but also when life actually ends based on brain wave activity – and if we have the right to end life.  I listened to stories of negligent and abusive parents who taught their toddlers to curse and some who allowed inappropriate pictures to be taken with their teens. All the while, my blood pressure was rising.

It was an overdose of bad news, but I couldn’t turn it off because each time I thought I couldn’t be any more appalled….. I would be. My head began to spin with emotions and thoughts, but the strongest emotion that kept pressing to the surface – was sadness. We live in a world gone terribly wrong.

That’s not a new revelation, yet I think I tend to stay in my own little bubble most of the time and ignore how much evil and sin abounds.

I surround myself with family and friends who love me, hang out with friends who typically share my beliefs, and most events and social outings I attend are Christian based. My radio stations are usually tuned into my local Christian, and sometimes top 40. And can I be honest? I like it that way.

I don’t really want to know all the bad news all the time. I get sick to my stomach when I hear of stories of sexual abuse of children and women. I get angry when I hear of continued political corruption and coverups, topped with an abundant lack of honesty and integrity that seems to taint our government every day. And I get frustrated with the reality that things seem to keep getting worse and worse, instead of better.  In fact, at times it seems that the voices and desires of those who are against God’s ways seem to be incredibly louder than those who love Him and promote what’s biblically right.

As I drove down the interstate with my mind full of this mental clutter and my heart full of growing irritation, my spirit began to feel heavy. I began to wonder what God’s answer might be if I had the opportunity to ask Him, “God, what in the world is going on in this world? And when are You going to take action?”  

So when I arrived back home, I began looking through scripture and came across a few verses that although they did not answer my question to God exactly, did help in settling my heart (and my nerves).

Proverbs 21:2 says “People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.” I need not waste time fretting about all that is going on in this world, because all I really need to worry about is my own heart. If my heart is right with God, I can have peace knowing that God will take care of the rest. Even when every ounce of news seems to be filled with unrighteousness and sin, He is still on the throne, and one day, all hearts will be exposed.

Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”   This verse reminded me that this world IS in a battle between good and evil and regardless of who appears to be winning, we are called as believers to put on the armor of God. To fill our hearts with His Word and stay connected through prayer because in Him, we can stand strong knowing that He will have victory in the end – even when it appears to the human eye that God is losing the battle.

Lastly, 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.”   This one stung a little bit.  I might like it my safe little bubble, surrounded by like-minded people, but that’s not where God calls me to stay. We are all called to spread the gospel message and stand firm in His truths. Even when we feel like our voices don’t matter and that this world is too far gone for us to make a difference,  through His power, even the tiniest voices can be heard. And sometimes the quietest voices can change hearts for eternity.

What a comfort to be reminded that even though it seems like this whole world has gone crazy and that God is being universally pushed farther and farther away from sight, that Jesus will one day return and claim authority over this world once again, while collecting all those who believe in Him into His arms.

Until that time, I am choosing to fill my eyes, heart and mind with more of Him and His Word, and less of the media and this world. I am choosing to continue standing firm in His truths, even when the world tries to justify that what is wrong, is actually right. I am choosing to use my voice for Jesus, no matter how often it gets drowned out in the crowd, because in Him, all things are possible.

What about you?  What might you choose for this new year that will help you stand firm in God’s truths?

If you have any thoughts on this subject, leave a comment below the post

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15 Comments

  1. Delinda on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 9:17 am

    This is a lot like me. I too try to keep my head in the sand about all of the evil going on in the world. People ask me if I heard about something on the news and usually I am totally oblivous. I keep to my “safe things” and I like it that way. Do I know all of the evil going on in the world – Absolutely! Do I want to hear about every detail 40 times a day – ABsolutely not!!!

    Thank you for the scripture references. This helps make my inattentiveness to worldly things seem “OK”. We must keep our hearts right, keep our armor on and if the world thinks we are uncaring – then they just do not understand that Our God takes care of those things.



  2. Barbara on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 9:29 am

    I am like that also.I don’t watch any news on TV what news I see is what is on the internet and I try to avoid most of it.
    I do know how horrible this world is but I don’t want to hear about it all day long.I love to watch what is going to bring me joy not bring me down.

    Tracie thank you so much for the scripture references that you gave. Those are great Bible Verses to always keep on our armor on and look to God in all things. Blessings, Barbara



  3. Shelly Burke on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 10:35 am

    I’m with you, Tracie–listening to (or watching) the news can be very disheartening and at times heartbreaking (I think the video of the toddler whose parents taught him to curse is one that took place just 100 miles from here–and the more details that come out, the sadder it is). And there is so little we can do about most of it. I take heart in that God knows all that is going on. He does not LIKE it, of course, but nothing happens that He doesn’t know and allow. And the people who are perpetuating the evil will, one day, answer to him. I don’t say this in happiness, but I do know that justice will prevail.

    And I take heart in that I can brighten my little corner of the world by trying to show God’s love to everyone I meet, with a smile, a kind word, a verse of encouragement. I can be diligent about Bible study and KNOW and spread the truth. I pray. I publish a monthly Christian newspaper and pray every month that the articles I print and write will encourage and motivate readers in their Christian walk.

    Thank you for YOUR encouragement today!



  4. Marisha on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 11:30 am

    thank you, Tracie, for offering ‘scripture based solutions’. I was going thru the same just last week. It is impossible to watch the news these days without getting frustrated and sad because there are no good news 99%/disasters all over the place and violence…I would love for God to step in and stop it even before His 2nd coming to minimize the deaths and violence against the innocent…but I guess in the meantime prayer for His interventions could be useful too…



  5. Gina on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    Thank you for reminding me of 2 Corinthians 2:14. I needed this one today for sure.



  6. Beth on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Right where I feel most days. Appreciate your post and especially the scriptures! Thank you!
    Beth A.



  7. Martha T. on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    This was excellent! I just listened to a program with John Stonestreet and Phillip Yancey that deals with this same topic. They were discussing Mr. Yancey’s book The Question that Never Goes Away-Why? Go to http://www.BreakPoint.org for an posting and a program .



  8. Rhonda Sutton on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    I love your blog posts and this one really hit home because its something my husband and I have been talking about a lot. Thank you.



  9. Renee on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    It is so nice to know that others are standing for God. I truly feel the same way and was concerned that I was in a diminishing number. Thank you for sharing this Truth and providing a Biblical standpoint to hold on to. His words are needed more and more each day.

    It was also wonderful to realize that there are people who are focused on and living for God; we need the support of one another during these times.

    Thank you Tracie and the sisters in Christ that have shared their thoughts, I needed to read something positive today!



  10. Ashley Fields on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    I can relate completely, Tracie. Over all the anger, astonishment and head shaking that I feel or do in response to what I see in main stream media, the emotion that rings the loudest is sadness. There are times when I feel heartbroken not just because it seems like God is not on the winning side at times but also because of the number of people who will not get to share in the glory and the absolute love awaiting those of us who believe in Heaven. That saddens my heart more than anything.

    Thank you so much for this post. I have actually been mildly admonished for feeling the way that I do because, “the battle has already been won!” That may be but it doesn’t change the fact that God has given me a heart of compassion. I know that he doesn’t want my heart to become hard and cold but I also know that he doesn’t want me to flippantly ignore a society in desperate need of God’s grace and devotion. Your post has given me a feeling of support (as in someone who understands type of support) that I needed in order to keep doing that. 🙂 Thank you again!



  11. Chris Bushuiakovish on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    I decided a couple of years ago to give up watching tv. I felt like it was a distraction I didn’t need. I am a firm believer in “garbage in = garbage out” I have not missed all the sadness at all. I am still aware because of other medias but I am not being overwhelmed by all the details. Because we live in a fallen world, evil happens. I don’t have to know all the details of every instance. I spend more time reading my Bible and in quiet time with God.I believe that is a much better way to spend our time.



  12. Kathy on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 7:14 am

    I could have written this. I so agree. Thank you for sharing!



  13. Cheri on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 8:34 pm

    I agree with you. Bad news is everywhere and that is all that seems to be discussed. Like you, I often wonder what does God wants us to do…at this moment. Usually I just pray and ask Him to lead the way. Thank you for writing about this topic. I hope and pray that others read it and realize God is good and we need to think about Him! God bless you



  14. Stacey on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    Well said. I agree with you. I pray for our country. We are living in a world that feels like it is spinning out of control. However, we know God is in control. In the new year, I am trying to memorize more scripture and spend time in the Word daily to remind me that God is in control, and that I can trust in Him no matter the circumstances surrounding us in the world today. I have to be in the world but not of the world. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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