I will admit something that will probably not surprise a single person who knows me: I like to read FOX News on my phone; scroll through post after post on Twitter; watch videos of Scott Adams, Dennis Prager, Tucker Carlson; or listen to "Chicago's Morning Answer" radio program with Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson. The problem is that my poor wife has to deal with me as I vent over all the injustice in this world—and there are so many things to be upset about: COVID lockdowns, school strikes, politics, crime, hypocrisy in the media, taxes, and on and on.

Considering all the trash we must wade through every single day, it is enough to make one want to swear! But just being mad is worthless. This world is plunging down a runaway elevator, and all my frustrations are not going to slow it down by even one floor! So, what can we do? How can we use this energy positively?

The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 4:26 (The Amplified Bible; emphasis ours), "Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down." This advice comes from King David in Psalm 4:4: "Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still."

We can learn a great deal from David's words. First, he tells us that sometimes it is okay to be angry. In fact, the Bible tells us God Himself is angry with the wicked every day. As The Amplified Bible specifies, we need to be mad at the right things: immorality, injustice, and ungodly behavior.

Second, David advises that, rather than stewing in our anger, we take care not to sin. We cannot take vengeance or seek the harm of those who may want to harm us.

Third, he tells us to meditate on our beds and be still. We should find a quiet place, and as we reflect on all the bad news, talk to God and apply our converted minds to the problems. During this time, we need to be still, that is, to be silent, at peace, at rest, and restrained as we wait for God to work out His Plan.

But what do we do with our pent-up emotions and constrained energy? We will consider six different ways that we can use it productively:

First, Jesus Christ teaches in Matthew 5:44-45:

[L]ove your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of Your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil, and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

This world is almost entirely hostile to God, but He is wholly undeserving of such enmity. He is all good. Despite their hatred, God still wants all humanity to repent and enter His Kingdom, and so should we. Rather than wishing calamity upon the heads of our worldly enemies, we should remember that Jesus died so that God can eventually save everyone. Striving to imitate the love of Christ will help prepare us for our future positions in God's Kingdom. Those enemies will not realize it now, but our outgoing concern benefits them, and the training benefits us.

Second, we must remember that God is in charge. He thought His Plan through, and long ago, He knew what would happen along its course. Nothing surprises Him. His Plan includes deciding who our nation's leaders will be. Note Daniel 2:21: "And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings." We can relax because the people in authority are there only at God's sufferance—He put them there, personally, to do what they will do.

Hebrews 1:2 teaches that the Father and His Son have not only created the universe but also the different ages. Things may seem chaotic, but everything is under God's complete control. Realizing this, even resigning ourselves to it, should grant us peace. We and everything happening in this world are parts of a Plan He will bring about through His sovereignty. At present, He is working to bring nations to repentance, which the Bible testifies is never easy!

Third, God cares for us personally, practically, and physically. Consider I Peter 5:6-7 from The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition:

Therefore humble yourselves; [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

The apostle speaks to all of God's chosen people, to everyone in His church. He is on our side. He wants us to win—and we will win if we remain next to Him!

Fourth, what good can come from worry? Jesus asks in Matthew 6:27 (International Standard Version), "Can any of you add a single hour to the length of your life by worrying?" Anxiety has its place, but wallowing in distress is like a truck stuck in a muddy swamp. No matter how hard the driver tries to move, the wheels just spin and spin. He goes nowhere. It is a waste of effort!

God has called us to do a job: We have a divine obligation to show the world that His way is the only one that will work, despite fierce opposition! We must cooperate with Him to complete this task, which may frighten us, but we cannot let anything dissuade us. We cannot let worry halt our growth and service for Christ. That would be giving up. God urges us to endure.

Fifth, we need to remember that this world, with all its glory and its evils, is passing away. Paul reminds us in II Corinthians 4:18 that "we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." The great heroes of faith like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Daniel were just a few of those who looked for a city whose Builder and Maker is God. They died in faith, not having received the promise. This world is not our ultimate homeland. We can enjoy what God has given us here while we have it, but He promises that this world will pass away—to be replaced by something far better.

Sixth, Hebrews 12:14 instructs, "Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." By using "pursue," the author implies that we must utilize vigorous and strenuous effort to live peaceably, safely, and harmoniously in this world. "All men" means everyone, not just our relatives, friends, and neighbors.

A church friend shared an insightful thought: "In a world so completely against God and His ways, we can't pray, ‘Your kingdom come' and not expect both personal and worldwide upheaval!" We have to learn to cope with this upheaval, and to that end, we should remember the words of Psalm 37:9-11, as paraphrased in our hymnal ("Wait and Hope and Look for God," p. 30): "Wait and hope and look for God; be still and trust in Him. Soon the wicked shall not be, and his place shall not be found; so shall you delight yourself in peace abundantly."