The cold war between East and West is over as the new republics of the former Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact struggle to rebuild their shattered economies after 70 years of communism. The Middle East is relatively quiet, except for an occasional act of terrorism. The civil wars in Africa have been settled for the present. The civil war in Afganistan is about to end as the mujahadeen move into the capitol. The world is more unstable today than at any time in recent history.
People are more uncertain about the future today than they have been for many years.
This uncertainty increases stress. The stress of life in the world today often results in physical illness and even mental illness. Even if there is an absence of conflict in the world around us, we still do not have peace. Satan continues to stir up the people of earth so they will rebel against God. When we are controlled by our human nature, we become enemies of God.