因为上帝赐给我们的不是胆怯的心，而是刚强、仁爱、自制的心。（提摩太后书 1:7）

但保惠师，就是父因我的名所要差来的圣灵，他要把一切的事教导你们，并且要使你们想起我对你们所说的一切话。我留下平安給你們，我把我的平安賜給你們。我所賜給你們的，不像世人所賜的。你們心裏不要憂愁，也不要膽怯。（约翰福音 14:26-27）

所以，我们总是勇敢的，并且知道，只要我们住在这身体内就是离开了主。因为我们行事为人是凭着信心，不是凭着眼见。我们勇敢，更情愿离开身体，与主同住。所以，无论是住在身内或住在身外，我们都立了志向要得主的喜悦。（哥林多后书 5:6–9）

你们要靠主常常喜乐。我再说，你们要喜乐。要让众人知道你们谦让的心。主已经近了。应当一无挂虑，只要凡事藉着祷告、祈求和感谢，将你们所要的告诉上帝。上帝所赐那超越人所能了解的平安，必在基督耶稣里，保守你们的心怀意念。末了，弟兄们，凡是真实的、凡是可敬的、凡是公义的、凡是清洁的、凡是可爱的、凡是有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，你们都要留意。你们从我所学习的，所领受的，所听见的，所看见的事，你们都要继续去做，赐平安的上帝就必与你们同在。（腓立比书 4:4–9）

我们所处的时代并不缺少信息。这是个极大的福气！特别是在灾难时期，能够快速沟通、迅速反应、和全世界处在同样情况的人们取得联系，都是很棒的事。但是当我们看了太多信息，特别处在隔离的时候这样做，就会让我们焦虑不已、无所适从和孤独寂寞。

如今的世界每小时都有新的头条新闻出现，很容易让我们陷入恐惧当中。但作为基督的门徒，我们蒙召要靠信心活着，而不是活在恐惧当中。

保罗在提摩太后书提醒我们：

“因为上帝赐给我们，不是胆怯的心，乃是刚强、仁爱、谨守的心。”（提摩太后书1:7）

我们常常感受到的恐惧不是从上帝来的。我们觉得害怕的时候，正是祷告的好时候。不是说我们不再会感到恐惧；事实上，恐惧经常可以推动我们做正确的事、避免危险，或者做出明智的选择。但是我们不能让恐惧压倒我们对上帝的信心。

可是当周遭充斥着下一场大灾难的信息时，我们该如何做到这一点呢？

耶稣是这样说的：

“我留下平安给你们；我将我的平安赐给你们。我所赐的，不像世人所赐的。你们心里不要忧愁，也不要胆怯。”（约翰福音14:27）

耶稣没有说，我们一定会得到我们所求的结果，所以不要害怕。他说的是，他必赐我们平安，因为他随时都与我们同在。耶稣说这平安是他赐的，意味着他每天每时每刻都在无偿地给我们平安。我们要做的就是接受这份平安、领受这份平安，并且继续祈求上帝在我们生活的困难中赐我们平安。

那么基督徒面对未知灾难的时候，要怎么做呢？我们要铭记我们是靠信心活着。我们不活在恐惧当中。

祷告：上帝，我发现自己非常担心_______。我不知道将发生什么，但我清楚你并不感到惊讶，你也叫万事都互相效力，以带来益处。上帝啊，增加我的信心，让我今天能够更完全地信靠你。我祈求你的平安。感谢你在任何境遇中都给我们平安。奉耶稣的名，阿们。

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:26-27)

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (2 Corinthians 5:6-9)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)

We live in a time where there is no shortage of information. And that’s an incredible gift! Especially in times of disaster, it’s wonderful to be able to communicate quickly, take action swiftly, and connect globally on current events. But when we consume too much information—particularly in isolation—it can leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and alone.

In a world where there’s a new headline every hour, it can be easy to start living in fear. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to live by faith—not to live in fear.

Paul reminds us of this in 2 Timothy:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

The fear we often feel isn’t from God. When we start feeling afraid, it’s the perfect time to pray. This doesn’t mean we won’t ever feel fear. In fact, fear can often motivate us to do the right thing, to avoid danger, or to make wise choices. But we can’t allow feelings of fear to overcome our faith in God.

How can we do that when we’re bombarded by notifications about the next big tragedy?

Here’s what Jesus said:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

Jesus doesn’t say to not be afraid because we’ll always get the outcome we ask for. Instead, He promises peace because we have access to His presence. Jesus says that peace is a gift. That means that Jesus freely offers us peace every moment of every day. Our job is to accept it. To receive it. To continually go to God and ask for His peace in the middle of life’s problems.

So what can Christians do in the face of unknown disasters? We can remember that we live by faith. We don’t live in fear.

Pray: God, I find myself so worried about _______. I don’t know what is going to happen, but I know that You are not surprised, and You are working all things together for good. God, help me trust You more fully today. Increase my faith today, Lord. I ask You for Your peace. Thank You for freely giving us peace of mind no matter what happens around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.