Routine Panic

Is your life hectic? Welcome to the 21st Century.

Modern Americans routinely talk about “Multi-tasking” at work and in their personal lives. If you’re a leader and want to just keep up in the business world, one expert says you must become a “Frantic Learner.”

With corporate “downsizing,” two-career marriages and children who have more dates in their calendar than a CEO—the modern family lives on the edge of insanity. Dr. James Dobson from Focus on the Family describes family life today as “Routine Panic.”

If being busier means life is better, Americans should be the happiest people on earth! But such is not the case. We’re working harder to buy more things but have less time to enjoy them. Surveys show that instead of satisfaction with life, Americans are headed into depression.

Med Yones, President of the International Institute of Management recently wrote a White Paper titled “The American Pursuit of Unhappiness.” In it he reports that depression rates in the United States actually rose during a recent 10-year period. Major depression rose from 3.33 percent of adults to 7.06 percent. In other words, it more than doubled! There are no available studies for 2006, but it seems to be getting worse. Doctors are prescribing antidepressants to adolescents, children and even toddlers.

Perhaps we are headed toward what author Elizabeth Wurtzel called a “Prozac Nation.” Americans seem to think that even normal problems can be solved with pills. As the Rolling Stones sang, we go “running for the shelter of a ‘mother’s little helper.’” Peace in a pill.

Well, hold it right there for just a minute. Is there another way to peace and happiness? The Bible says there is.

The Psalmist, David, writes, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Jesus called his followers to not be troubled or anxious about life. He said that God is in control, loves us and cares for us. Beyond just existing, those who follow Jesus Christ can have an “Abundant Life.” He said that those who serve God would be blessed.

Real life seems to bear this out. A survey by the Barna Group showed that 99 percent of Evangelical Christians report being happier and more satisfied than other Americans.

Happiness and satisfaction? Give me some of that!

So what is a “Christian?” A sincere lady once told me what she thought: “I believe in God, I go to church and I pray; I’m a Christian.” Is that a Christian? Well, not exactly.

Jesus said that at the Judgment, many will call him, “Lord” and claim to have served him. But he will tell them, “I never knew you. Away from me!” In fact he said that genuine believers and some false professors of faith would appear identical to the casual observer.

The key to genuine Christianity is to stop comparing ourselves to others and personally obey God’s Word. If you do you will find that God doesn’t play mind games. He says that “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Not “might be” but “will be saved.” Eternal salvation is free to all who come to God through Christ. A Christian is someone who personally trusts in Christ.

Follow Jesus. Read the Bible. Stay close to God and obey him. Then, instead of “routine panic,” the Bible says you can enjoy an amazing peace and the blessing of God.

Listen to the Bible; it’s good for your soul!