Dr. Shelton Smith - President and Editor Donate Staying Sane in These Crazy Times There was a day when you dared to say, “Well, I’ve heard and seen every­thing now”; but then something totally unthinkable crossed your path. The headline is such a shocker that you cannot imagine such a thing. Such is the reality of the present day. You’ll remember how Isaiah wrote these graphic words about Israel. “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! “And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowl­edge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. “And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: “But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteous­ness.” “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”—Isa. 5:11–16,20,21. What an indictment! This ancient Scripture is about Israel, but it also paints a clear picture of what modern America has become. It seems crazy because it is. Such an abnormal situation is not in the least a sane condition, but it is now the character of our culture. The challenge we face is “staying sane” in a crazy world. If we are careless, the crazy could over­whelm us and engulf us. It is a real and present danger. So how do we “stay sane”? 1. Believe God! No matter what the worldlings decree and demand, we are well advised to believe God. His inspired Word is still inerrant, still infallible and still absolutely trustworthy and reliable. We read it and heed it knowing that it is the truth. The polls, the trends, the times and the culture will clamor loudly; but we are un­moved by their nonsense because we have chosen to “believe God.” 2. Testify openly! Some people say, “Silence is golden”; but since it is rarely valuable, my guess is that it is just plain yellow. In these crazy times our testimony given openly can be impactful. A Chris­tian who is unashamed and vocal can be a difference maker. Whether it be a simple “God bless you” in passing or a full statement of “I am saved,” the testimony we can give is urgently needed from all of us. 3. Preach boldly! Once the pulpits in America were lit up with the fire of God. Some still are, but so many have become wimpish and domesticated. All of us who have pulpit privileges need to claim the power of God and embrace the boldness He will give us. 4. Win souls! With a world population greater than ever before and with us now today closer to the Lord’s return than ever before, the lostness of every man, woman, boy and girl should be heavy upon us. The Gospel is still God’s plan and there are people who will receive it if we will be busy proclaiming it. 5. Have church! When church time comes, as it should three times a week, gear it up. Stop the ho-hum and get your services humming. Don’t drag it to death. Warm it up and show some excitement. Amen! 6. Live clean! The world will offer you any number of unclean options which will not serve you well. Find the will of God as to the clean and the unclean; then brace up and say “no” when it is prudent to do so. 7. Be alert! The dangers about us are increasing. Our personal safety as well as dangers confronting our families, our churches, the schools, etc., are growing greater every year. We must be neither naive nor ill advised. When the Bible says, “Awake thou that sleep­est” (Eph. 5:14), hopefully it is not an alarm you need. 8. Take the heat! “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Tim. 3:12). Reread the Book of Acts. Pressure, even persecution, is not a new invention. It has been around a long time but it still happens. When it does, stand up to it and push back. Stay steady! If you are a roller-coaster-type Christian (up one minute and down the next), I pray that you will strengthen your spiritual and moral moorings. Put your roots down deep and stay put when the storms hit. 9. Eye the sky! Yes, keep your eyes looking upward. Keep your ears tuned listening for the shout. Jesus said, “I will come again” (John 14:3). We should be watchful as we wait and work. Amen! 10. Stay excited! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (I Cor. 14:58). So whatever degree of crazy is in the headlines today, dear fellow Christians, let’s keep our head on straight and our heart warm. Let’s stay scripturally sane and keep on keeping on. The Lord is counting on us and so are a lot of people. Let’s not let the crazies in this crazy culture drive us over the edge. Often you’ll hear people say, “They are driving me crazy.” Well, my homespun advice is, take a look at what they are driving and don’t ride with them. Stay sane! Amen! Post not marked as liked Featured Posts The "Easy Street" Myth! Staying Sane in These Crazy Times Eighty-Seven Years and Counting! Crisis After Crisis Threatens USA The 21st Century Game Plan The Christian Culture Wake Up, Dear Christian, Wake Up! Hold the Banner High The Foundation Saluting 245 Years of Freedom Recent Posts The "Easy Street" Myth! Staying Sane in These Crazy Times Eighty-Seven Years and Counting! Crisis After Crisis Threatens USA The 21st Century Game Plan The Christian Culture Wake Up, Dear Christian, Wake Up! 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