Carrying On in Troublesome Times
Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear. [1]
The familiar words to this hymn came to mind after multiple aborted attempts to write an article. Disappointment over canceled plans and unmet expectations slowly threatened to take up residence in my heart, displacing my motivation. The anticipated dates on the calendar for a vacation planned and paid for in advance had been postponed. The test results of a loved one came back with the dreaded words aggressive and metastasized. Policies and procedures in the community and at work are becoming more restrictive, affecting daily life. And these are just examples from my own life, never mind the life-altering events taking place in the world. Riots, viruses, bullying, oppression, and deaths do make for troublesome times, and the hearts of many are becoming fearful.
The situation reminds me of an observation made about a specific year in the life of Winston Churchill. Erik Larson recently set out to write about the famous British prime minister’s first year in office. The author sought to answer the question of what it was like for Churchill “to have his city bombed for nights on end and to know full well that these air raids, however horrific, were likely only a preamble to far worse.” [2] Before stepping into office, the country he was about to lead was already at war. The climate was redolent with fear. On Churchill’s very first day on the job, Hitler began a relentless attack. The book, The Splendid and the Vile, is an account of how Churchill taught his countrymen to be courageous in an uncertain time. Larson discovered during his writing that it is one thing to say the words “carry on,” and quite another to live it out during troublesome times.
“Keep Calm and Carry On” became a ubiquitous mantra long before COVID-19 and the current wars over inequalities. Decoratively handwritten and visually artistic posts of the statement have inundated billboards, newsfeeds, walls, T-shirts, mugs, and the fronts of notebooks for the last decade. The artwork for the sentiment is often so beautifully crafted, that just a glance at the words may begin to convince one that calm is within reach.
The statement was originally intended for use by the British government as a poster to boost morale at the beginning of World War II. Although the words were meant to be used as a motivational announcement, the sentiment itself is not enough to inspire persistence in the face of challenges. How do we carry on when we do not know whether or not today is simply a preface to a harder tomorrow?
Churchill used words as a balm and to strengthen a nation during great turmoil. One review of Larson’s book states that, “every time Churchill took to the airwaves it was as if he were injecting adrenaline-soaked courage directly into the British people” [3]. His words were that persuasive.
And truths written in Scripture long ago work in the same manner to help persuade us to replace fear with faith today. A Scripture that is a balm for me, much like Churchill’s speeches were for the British people, is Psalm 46:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Ps. 46:1-3)
What imagery! God is very near amidst the clashing chaos and destruction described in this psalm. We are protected in the stronghold of our mighty God.
Another ubiquitous phrase comes at the end of this psalm in verse 10. The words “be still and know that I am God” also adorn T-shirts, mugs, hats, notebooks, artwork, etc. It is a statement that is taken from within the context of war described in verses 8-11. However, God is present: “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire” (verse 9). The New American Standard Bible translates verses 10 and 11 as, “‘Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.”
More beautiful imagery. Cease striving. Stop struggling. Let go. Know that he is God. He stops the wars. He destroys the weapons. He will be exalted. Neither nature in distress nor nations dividing can topple him. He is our fortress! And because he is, we can carry on during troublesome times.
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[1] R. E. Winsett, “Jesus is Coming Soon” (1942).
[2] Erik Larson, The Splendid and the Vile (Random House: NY, 2020), xi.
[3] C. Millard, “How Churchill Brought Britain Back from the Brink,” The New York Times, 25 February 2020. Available here.
