Do Not Let the News Shake Your Faith

[DLJBSP]

It seems that almost every day we hear about another disaster—an earthquake, a flood, a fire, or a war. Recently, there have been several especially destructive earthquakes. When these reports keep coming, one after another, they can shake us emotionally.

But they do not have to shake our faith.

 

Psalm 112:6-8 says of the person who trusts in Jehovah: “He will never be shaken. . . . He will not fear bad news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Jehovah.” That does not mean bad news will not affect us. We feel deeply for those who suffer. But the news does not leave us without hope or an explanation.

 

At our midweek meeting, we considered the faith of Abraham. Abraham was not superhuman. He was a man like us, with feelings and fears. What made him different was that he knew Jehovah. When he faced a test that must have seemed almost impossible, he reasoned that Jehovah could even raise Isaac from the dead.—Hebrews 11:17-19.

 

That is the kind of faith we need today.

 

We know what is happening and why. Jesus foretold earthquakes and other calamities as part of the sign of the last days. Of course, this does not mean that Jehovah causes these disasters. It also does not mean that Satan personally causes every earthquake or flood. Natural forces, human decisions, and “time and unexpected events” all play a part.—Matthew 24:7; Ecclesiastes 9:11.

 

We know who controls this world. Satan has been cast down to the vicinity of the earth, “having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.” His selfish and cruel system makes human suffering much worse. And he would be very happy if frightening news caused us to doubt Jehovah or lose our spiritual balance.—Revelation 12:12.

 

We cannot let him win.

 

We already know how this story ends. Jehovah’s Kingdom will remove Satan’s system and every cause of suffering. Even if we lose our life before that day arrives, we still know what is coming. Like Abraham, we trust in Jehovah’s power to restore life. What lies ahead is far better than anything we have now.—John 5:28, 29; Revelation 21:3, 4.

 

So we do not ignore the news or become indifferent to the suffering of others. We grieve with those who grieve. We pray for our brothers and sisters, and we help whenever we can. But we keep the news in its proper place.

 

The earth may shake. The news may disturb us. But with our heart firmly fixed on Jehovah, our faith does not have to be shaken.