Recently the United States Surgeon General issued an advisory regarding the wellness and mental health of parents in America. Parents face high levels of stress financially and in caring for their kids who also are under stress from technology dependence, social media pressures, a culture of comparison, substance abuse, isolation, loneliness, and hopelessness. This stress is accompanied by anxiety, fear, and a sense of helplessness in dealing with past trauma, current difficulties, and future unknowns. Are you stressed? Fortunately, there is help for you and those around you even if you are not a parent or youth. God loves you and understands you and your circumstance no matter what stage of life you are in. He created you and is working for your best. Go to him. Rest in his embrace and let his love resolve your worries and fears (Matthew 11:38-40; Philippians 4:4-7). Be encouraged that you can face any difficulty by looking to Jesus, God the Son, who saves all who trust in him (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:1-5, 8:28). Then as God enables you, boldly step up to intervene for and encourage others.
Time to Engage
We live during trying times in a fallen world of broken people. Some people try to deal with the stress, trauma, hatred, and evil in society by ignoring, escaping, capitulating, or even worse, contributing to it. But if you have a relationship with God you don’t have to stumble under a burden of stress, step away detached, or step deeper in. You can step up with courage. Jesus warned and enheartened those who listened to him that although they will face tribulation in the world, they can actually experience joy and peace because he has overcome the world (John 16:33). Anyone who trusts in Jesus can experience victory in every circumstance because he walks with us and fights for us. Therefore, as we take courage by faith in God, we must engage and not hold back. We can stand for what’s right, proclaim the truth, intervene to help, serve with love, care for the needy, empathize, and equip the next generation.
Conclusion
Just as Jesus stepped down from heaven into a wicked world and became a man to save all humankind, God has placed us in this world during perilous times for the same reason, to be ambassadors of reconciliation by his grace and power. He wants to work in us to mature us so we become like Jesus. And he wants to work through us to reach others (Romans 8:29-30; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21). Study God’s word and obey it (Joshua 1:9). Ask God where you should be and what you should do. Then go to where he is at work saving, healing, and restoring. Individually and with other believers, boldly, yet humbly follow his lead and do what he does which will include proclaiming the truth in love and serving others.
Note: I wrote a song related to this titled, “Rise Together” which you might enjoy.