Stressed about world affairs?

 

As I sit here writing this, I wonder how you are feeling? I know that many of us find the way things are in the world quite stressful. I know there are a lot of people who really struggle with the negative news feeds and the constant barrage of updates on social media. So I set out to explore whether it was just a general impression I had and discovered that global conflicts are causing widespread stress, anxiety, and profound mental health issues. This is described by experts as a form of ‘globalised trauma’. This stress stems from fear, hopelessness, and a loss of control, affecting not just those directly in combat zones but also civilians worldwide witnessing the events*. 

What is happening globally at the moment is not unexpected. The Bible vividly portrays a world of escalating military conflict. For instance, the Lord Jesus taught His followers (recorded in Mark chapter 13 verse 7, ESV) - ‘And when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet’. This is not the only place where this warning is given. If you do a little research, you will find that Iran, Israel, Russia (there are more) are all prophesied as being involved in global conflict in ‘end times’. It would be unwise to claim that these predictions are currently being fulfilled. Still, it would also be careless to ignore the possibility that various scenarios are rapidly taking shape.

A hospital visit that posed a bigger question!

I was going to visit two Christians who were in hospital. It was a high rise building and the people I wanted to see were on different levels. I went to the area on the ground floor, from which the elevators could be accessed and was soon on my way up. After spending a little while with the first person I made my way back to the area where a number of people were waiting for an elevator. Soon it arrived and we were asked, "Are you going up?" This immediately divided the people because some said, "No we’re going down". I got in and was in the company of people, all of whom were going up; the others we left behind and they were going down.

Later, as I pondered this simple incident, I thought it was just like humanity; some are going down and some are going up! The destinations are certainly not on earth. Some people are going up to heaven, while sadly very many are going down to hell. Dear reader, which way are you going?

Free of charge but costly

We have had reason to attend two NHS Fife hospitals over the past few weeks, writes Bert Cargill of St Monans Gospel Hall, and we are so grateful for the treatment we received. Our needs were met with care and kindness, as well as with skill and professionalism. The system is complex, the staff numbers are huge, the running costs are staggering, but we found that individuals matter.

 

I’m told that NHS Fife is the largest employer in the county – I cannot think what the wages bill must be. The equipment costs are well into millions of pounds, from thousands of sterile syringes and hundreds of BP monitors up to large body scanners and X-ray machines. Then add in heating, cleaning, catering and servicing costs, and the admin office work to support each function. We benefit from it all, provided free of charge. However, I was quite horrified to find out that wasted medicines cost NHS Fife £2.1 million each year. Those of us who get the medicines free have a responsibility there.

Handling tragedy

 

Hasn’t the world gone crazy? It seems I am writing about this a lot recently. We recently witnessed the tragedy of four young men’s deaths in a car crash in Liverpool. Whatever the cause, the heartbreak for everyone involved is devastating. It was one of those sobering events that makes you stop and think - what if it was me? What if it was my son? Why do such things happen?

I am writing from Uganda at the moment. The other morning I met a lady with two young boys that I assumed were her grandchildren. I was right, but sadly discovered that their mother (the lady’s daughter) had died unexpectedly in November last year. I pondered - why the young lady and not someone older? Why are those little children left without their mother? I cried as I thought about it.