News Health: Is Fear Appropriate?

Happy Sunday,

“Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28

What in the news makes you afraid?

The news is famous for its selection of stories that cause sadness, anxiety, anger, and fear. At The Pour Over, we summarize the most visible news of the day and—following that guiding principle—have many times been forced to cut a fun story because of a shooting, earthquake, or war update. For better or for worse, those negative, fear-inducing stories are always “bigger” headlines. 

I can think of many times the news has made me afraid: afraid for my safety, afraid for my future, afraid for my daughters’ futures.

But, I’m wondering if fear is ever the appropriate reaction.

Scripture is clear that we should fear God—being in awe of His power, revering His holiness, and acknowledging His control over our eternal destiny—but repeatedly condemns fear of things on earth. Jesus seems exasperated by His disciples’ fear of a potentially deadly storm (Matthew 8:26), and Paul says that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). 

Beyond that, fear seems like an illogical response when we have a properly eternal perspective. If I believe that I’ll spend eternity in Heaven no matter what happens on earth… then why would I be fearful about anything in the news? In the light of eternity, suffering will be brief and death just the beginning of the best part!

And yet, fear feels like a very logical response to many headlines in the moment. So, I want to dive deeper: will you hit reply and let me know what types of news cause you fear? (Bonus points if you can make the case that it’s a biblically-appropriate fear.)

What do you think?
Jason

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