The world is ending. Climate change will kill us all in the next twelve years, or ten years, or 6 years. Rising sea levels will drown millions, particularly minorities apparently. Droughts will starve us all of food and water.
We’re all going to die.
Since 2016, this has been overlaid with another message: “Be afraid.”
Donald Trump is an existential threat to women, minorities, freedom, democracy itself. Millions will die because of him. More wars will rage across the world. America will collapse.
We’re all going to die.
And then 2020 came, and a new message began to permeate every story on the news, every message from governments: “Be afraid.”
This virus is unstoppable. It will kill tens, hundreds, of millions. Going to work will spread the virus to even more people. Worshipping at church will infect the elderly members of your congregation. Meeting up with friends will make everyone sick. Wear a mask. Report your neighbours. The Queensland Labor Party even ran a successful election campaign built entirely on fear.
We’re all going to die.
Is this what they mean by “the new normal”?
That we are meant to be perpetually living in fear? Constantly afraid of something coming to kill us all? That’s no way to live.
I’ve had holidays postponed indefinitely. I’ve seen friend’s children get married with almost no guests to celebrate with them. I’ve seen family farewell loved ones in a sparsely attended funeral. I’ve had work hours restricted then restored, and then eventually cancelled altogether.
I have felt a lot of emotions this year: frustration, annoyance, disappointment, exhaustion, sadness, concern, anger – lots of anger. I have felt robbed, lost, empty.
But I have not felt fear.
I am definitely worried about the future of a society that lives in fear, is driven by fear, whose governments and media organisations stoke that fear, whose people vote to choose fear over hope, the past over the future.
But I am not afraid.
Fear stifles development. Fear cripples movement. Fear destroys relationships. Fear muffles innovation. Fear crushes joy.
Seeing how quickly we have regressed to living in constant fear and dread, fed by this media and government narrative, and how prepared we are to so easily give up so much without even a whimper, I dread to think how today’s society would have coped with something like World War II.
A society focussed on fear, driven by fear, fed a constant barrage of fear, will soon fall.
The news, the celebrities, the governments with their daily tallies reminding us of the threat, may keep pushing a message of fear – because it works for them.
But God reminds us, hundreds of times, in his Word, to not be afraid. To trust Him. To follow Him. To experience His love. To rest in His peace.
And that works for me.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 (NIV)
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Grant Vandersee is a former secondary teacher who is now horrified at what is being taught and promoted in schools. A husband and father, political engagement runs in his family with three generations serving in local government. He's been personally involved in party politics for 20 years and is a member of the Liberal National Party. Grant is a staunch advocate for life, family, free speech, individual freedom and religious liberty.
