I recently watched Pendleton’s First Christian Church worship video on YouTube, where Jon Nitz shared his findings that the most repeated phrase in the Bible is, “Do not be afraid.” His insight led me to research this further, and he’s absolutely right. Variations of this phrase appear over 300 times in the Bible, with some sources claiming 365 times — one for each day of the year.

Though I retired in December 2023 after 44 years in pastoral ministry, people still seek my counsel, often about fears related to today’s political climate. These concerns stem from:

1. Political division — growing hostility between parties, inability to compromise and misinformation fueling conflict.
2. Threats to democracy — fears of government overreach, authoritarianism and distrust in leaders.
3. Economic uncertainty — inflation, job security and anxiety over policies affecting taxes, health care, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and businesses.
4. Social issues and civil rights — laws affecting reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality and immigration.
5. Global conflicts — rising tensions, wars, national security concerns, terrorism and cyber threats.
6. Climate change — anxiety over environmental disasters and government responses.
7. Misinformation — fake news, difficulty in discerning truth and social media amplifying fear.
8. Political violence — protests turning violent, domestic terrorism fears and potential civil unrest.

Managing political anxiety is challenging, but there are ways to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed:

1. Control news consumption — set limits, use reputable sources and take breaks from constant news updates.
2. Focus on what you can control — vote, volunteer and engage in community efforts for real impact.
3. Maintain perspective — history has faced similar crises; avoid catastrophizing.
4. Set boundaries — limit stressful political discussions and curate a healthier social media feed.
5. Take care of mental health — prioritize sleep, exercise, mindfulness and seek support when needed.
6. Find hope — Look for positive news, build supportive relationships and engage in fulfilling hobbies.

Ultimately, the biblical call to “Do not be afraid” is a powerful reminder in uncertain times. We can either let fear immobilize us or let hope drive us toward positive actions that benefit our health and well-being.

Marc Mullins is enjoying retirement after more than 40 years in pastoral ministry. He appreciates spending time with family, traveling, woodworking and composing and playing music.