Media Doomsayers Failed to Heal America. Let’s Try These 4 Things Instead

What if we tried the only plan that will actually work?

“Hurricane Ian could be ‘something we haven’t seen in our lifetime.’”

“US warnings against Putin’s nuclear threats mark a sobering moment.”

“Fed chair Powell warned of ‘pain’ to come. Seniors on fixed incomes are already feeling it.

“Meghan Markle set to go nuclear, but who’s to blame? Royal expert explains.”

Just a few of the headlines from cable news’ websites. Negative! Doomsday! The sky is falling! If your diet consists of that kind of garbage, it won’t be long before you lose hope and join the crowd of those predicting the apocalypse.

It’s not that I’m having positive warm and fuzzy feelings about the future of America — I don’t. In fact, I expect that hard times will come our way. The way I see it, hard times are already here. Every day, we hear about another person going off the chain and cutting, shooting, or beating innocent bystanders. It’s bad out there, but it could get worse.

But I have a couple of issues with the way that the news is reported. For one thing, it only seems as if the majority of Americans are going postal. Think about it: There are 327 million people living in the United States in 2022. Most of them want to live quiet lives and provide for their families. If that were not true, you couldn’t stop at your local convenience store for a tank of gas and a snack without getting mugged. We hear about muggings happening, but most of us have never been victimized by one.

There’s a bigger problem I have with the naysayers and doomsday prophets: They offer no real solutions. Instead, they demand that we spend more energy on unproven solutions? Mental health counseling? More money spent on education? Stomping out racism? Eliminating homophobic and transphobic language and other forms of discrimination?

The truth is, we’re spending more money on education, giving more attention to LGBTQ issues, and addressing climate change and racism far more than we ever have. And what evidence can anyone point to that proves that any of this has made America a better place?

In my opinion, we are more disheartened about our country than we’ve been in a long time. I don’t think attacking symptoms is going to get us anywhere.

So, since we’ve been there and done that, how about we try what has worked before? How about we utter the words they’re working overtime to avoid saying — ALMIGHTY GOD! We’ve tried employing all the humanistic solutions we could, how about we at least give God a try?

When Israel was in peril, Solomon prayed for direction, and God gave him the solution for Israel’s decline. It’s a pretty simple thing if you think about it. He told the King:

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

—2 Chronicles 7:14

It’s a four-step process. That’s all. If you want to really put America on the right path, encourage your fellow citizens to follow these four steps. It’s fail-proof. You can’t go wrong.

1. Humble yourself

2. Pray

3. Seek God

4. Turn away from wickedness

How clear is that? Approach God in humility, admitting that you and your fellow countrymen are powerless over your sins. Pray to the one who created you. Pursue him with all your heart. And walk away from opportunities to do evil. Don’t even put yourself in a position to sin. Stay away from it.

I’m just a simple man, but even I can understand that. If you think that providing more resources for those who suffer from mental health issues is the solution, go ahead. It’s a serious problem. Same for racism and all the phobias I mentioned above.

At the end of the day, however, I would suggest to you that any person who humbles him or herself before God will reject racism. They will treat people who live LGBTQ lives with respect. And while you may find “church members” who are racist, homophobic, and violent, you’ll have to look mighty hard to find a person who has followed these four steps still treating his fellow man with disrespect.

And I can follow God’s four-step plan while still telling the truth about race, sexuality, or any of the other social issues that are tearing us apart.

As I’ve said before, I don’t have any expectation that I’ll preach truth to a lost people and have them praise me for it. As a matter of fact, I expect the opposite. But how they respond isn’t my responsibility.

No, what I am responsible for is speaking the truth and speaking it in love. I’m responsible for being kind and loving. You won’t find me waving my firearms around in public and taking potshots at people I don’t even know. The only time anyone is in danger around me is when they pose a danger to others. But other than that, I’m trying to live a quiet and peaceful life. I’m trying to live in a way that displays the kindness and mercy of God.

I’m just saying that if enough people began this four-step process, we would begin to see a different country. I’ve heard of 12-step recovery programs — how about we reduce it to four and put it into practice? I think it’ll work. How about you? 

Remember the promise God made to Solomon: When we follow his plan, he vows to hear us, forgive our sins, and heal our land. That’s all I’m after, a healed America.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash