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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: The world has come through the great pandemic that started this third decade of the third millennium, and the fear and worry has had a profoundly negative impact on the human race. Society was cloaked in worry because of COVID-19 and its aftermath that continues. Being worry-free is not something people are good at. What is the secret to praying about this in order to find peace in the midst of terror? – W.F.

Dear W.F.: The Bible’s answer to worry couldn’t be clearer: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
To have assurance of God’s promises, one must belong to Him by believing in Him and every word that proceeds from His mouth. We must ask Him to increase our faith and place our complete trust in Him that He is leading us in and through difficulties. Our minds must be centered on Christ.
Jesus used the carefree attitude of the birds to underscore the fact that worry is unnatural. As long as we look only at the situation in the world today, life will seem very hard to overcome our worries because it is true that there are many problems out of our control. But God is in control.
We must pray for God’s wisdom to deal with whatever causes us to fret. Some people spend so much time worrying about what might happen that they never enjoy what is happening in the present. Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. Only the Holy Spirit can give us peace in the midst of the storms of restlessness and despair. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace” (John 16:33).
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)