Tag: fear

The Kingdom That Sings

Psalm 47 reads like a burst of fresh air, the kind that catches you by surprise and leaves you smiling before you’ve worked out why. It opens with this bold invitation to the whole world; every nation, every people, to clap their hands and shout with joy because the Lord most high is awesome, the great king over all the earth. There’s no sense of exclusivity here. It’s a psalm flung wide open, gathering everyone in.

As you sit with it, you can feel the music running through the lines. God is lifted up with shouts of joy and the sound of trumpets, and the whole psalm seems to sway with that confidence. At its heart is a quiet, steady reassurance that the world isn’t drifting without purpose. God reigns. Even in seasons when life feels uncertain, the psalmist calls us back to trust, almost like someone placing a gentle hand on your shoulder and saying, Look up.

One of the most moving threads in the psalm is its vision of unity. The nobles of the nations assemble … for the kingship belongs to God. It imagines former strangers standing together, not because they’ve all agreed on everything, but because they’re held by something greater than themselves. In a world like ours, so often split by fear and noise, that picture feels both ancient and startlingly hopeful.

When you approach Psalm 47 as more than a song, it becomes a reminder of your place in a wider, joyful story. It tells you that even when your own praises feel quiet, you’re still part of a kingdom that sings on your behalf. It invites you to breathe, to trust, and to let your heart rise with the music that’s already playing.

A New Year Unfolds

As a New Year stretches out before us, full of possibility and uncertainty, Paul’s words fold around us like a warm cloak. In Romans 8:38–39 he says he’s convinced that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that’s in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing – not the fears that creep in as the calendar turns, not the regrets we carry from the year just gone, not illness, disappointment, change, or the quiet ache of things unresolved. Neither death nor life, neither the heights of our joys nor the depths of our anxieties, neither what’s pressing in on us today nor what might surprise us tomorrow can prise us from the love that already surrounds us.

And Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:17–19 feels especially tender at the doorway of a New Year. He longs for us to be rooted and established in love, so that we might somehow grasp its vastness, even though it surpasses knowledge. Wide, long, high, deep: love that fills every direction we might turn. Love that steadies us when we step into something unfamiliar. Love that whispers courage when we don’t feel ready. Love that keeps nourishing us beneath the surface, the way roots drink in hidden water.

As the year unfolds with its mix of beauty and burden, that love won’t thin out. It won’t grow tired. It won’t lose interest. Even when we face decisions that feel heavy, or days that feel lonely, or news that unsettles our confidence, we remain held. God’s love isn’t a feeling that wavers with the season; it’s the deep reality beneath every season.

So let yourself begin this year resting in what’s already true: you’re loved with a love that can’t be broken, outmatched, or undone. Whatever comes, you won’t face it alone.

A Reflection on Joy at Christmas

At Christmas, the difference between happiness and joy comes into sharper focus. The season itself is often wrapped in happiness, familiar songs, warm lights, shared meals, laughter, and moments of comfort and nostalgia. This kind of happiness is good and gift-like, but it’s also fragile. It depends on things lining up, relationships feeling easy, finances holding steady, and the ache of loss staying quietly in the background. When those things don’t fall into place, Christmas happiness can feel thin, or even painful.

Christian joy tells a deeper story. The joy of Christmas isn’t rooted in perfect circumstances but in the astonishing claim that God chose to draw near, not in power or certainty, but in vulnerability. The birth of Jesus doesn’t arrive in a calm, well-ordered world. It comes amid fear, displacement, political oppression, and ordinary human anxiety. That matters, because it means joy isn’t the denial of darkness, it’s light entering it.

Joy, in this sense, is a steady confidence that God is with us, not just when the table is full and the house is warm, but when the heart feels heavy or the season stirs grief as much as gratitude. It allows space for sorrow without surrendering hope. It says that love has taken flesh and pitched its tent among us, and that nothing, not loss, not uncertainty, not brokenness, has the final word.

Staying whole in a fractured world

The world can be a confusing and unsettling place, especially with technology at our fingertips and 24/7 news. Making sense of it all can take its toll on our inner life. In this context, preserving our mental health is essential.

Here’s some strategies that work for me:

Limit your news consumption. Constant exposure to distressing news can lead to anxiety and stress. Set aside specific times to check the news and avoid it during the rest of the day. Consider turning off news notifications on your devices.

Choose reliable news sources. Verify the credibility of the news sources you follow and ask questions, such as, why is this person saying a certain thing, for example. This can reduce fear and uncertainty.

Focus on what you can control. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of global crises. Concentrate on actions you can take in your own life, like supporting local charities, volunteering, or making environmentally conscious choices.

Establish a daily routine to bring stability and predictability. Regular sleep patterns, exercise, and work schedules can all help you maintain a sense of normality. Do what works for you.

Talk to people. Human connection is vital for mental wellbeing. Even when you can’t meet in person, stay connected with friends and family through phone calls, video chats, or online social groups. Sharing your feelings and experiences can be comforting. Smile at people and talk to strangers.

Develop the art of self-care. Dedicate time to activities that help you relax and unwind. Exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and hobbies can all reduce stress and improve your mood.

Seek help. If you find yourself struggling to cope with the constant stream of negative news, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. A therapist or counsellor can provide valuable guidance and support.

Stay informed, but not obsessed. Whilst staying informed is important, obsessing over the news can lead to information overload and increased anxiety. Set boundaries and avoid overconsumption.

Remember, preserving your mental health is a priority, it’s okay to take breaks from the news and practice self-compassion. By implementing these strategies, you can better navigate a world of bad news while maintaining your mental wellbeing.