Principal's Ponderings

Trust in God: Even in Uncertain Times

“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” - Matthew 24:6 (NIV)

Every time we scroll the news or overhear the latest headlines, we are reminded that our world is ‘groaning’. Conflicts rise, fear spreads and it is easy to feel helpless. Our children, too, are watching. They hear the whispers. They sense the unease. And they may quietly ask the questions that tug on our own hearts: “Will everything be okay? Is the world safe? What’s going to happen next?”

Jesus told His disciples plainly that we would hear of wars and rumours of wars. He wasn’t being dramatic, He was being honest. But in the very next breath, He offers a simple but powerful command: “Do not be alarmed.”

Easier said than done, right?

But here is the good news: Jesus is not asking us to ignore what is happening around us, He is asking us to shift our focus. Our hope is not anchored in political peace or worldly security. Our hope is anchored in Him, unchanging, faithful, and always near.

Psalm 46 declares, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way…” This is not a distant, disconnected kind of faith. It is the kind that steadies our hearts in the storm. It is the kind of hope that reminds us we are not abandoned.

When the world feels uncertain, we do not need to rush to fix all the problems, we need to return to the promises of God. He is still sovereign. He is still writing history. And He is with us, even now.

As parents and educators, we have a beautiful opportunity, to lead by example. When our children ask hard questions, we don’t need to have all the answers. But we can speak gently. We can pray openly. We can remind them that even when the world feels broken, God is still good.

Let us teach our children that trusting God does not mean everything will be easy. It means we believe He is present, powerful, and faithful through it all.

And let us not forget: in times of fear, the Church shines brightest when it becomes a voice of peace. Let us be people who point others to hope, who comfort the anxious, who stand firm in love and prayer. Let us be people of peace in a world of panic.

As a family you may wish to use this as a discussion around the table this week:

• Read Psalm 46 or Isaiah 41:10 together.

• Talk about one thing that feels uncertain, and then pray for God’s peace.

• Light a candle and remind one another: Jesus is the Light that the darkness cannot overcome.

Our trust is not in world leaders or news cycles, it is in the One who holds all things together. And in Him, we always have hope.

Shalom -  The Hebrew word, shalom, means peace, but also completeness, wholeness, safety, security, soundness, health, and prosperity. It is the restoration of all things.

Praying for shalom,

Chad Smit