Finding Footing in a Tilting World
The headlines in the first months of 2026 have been heavy. Between military strikes in Iran and the rapid shifts in regional power, it feels as though the world is tilting on its axis.
When we see nations in turmoil, our natural instinct is to scan the news for a sense of control, hoping for a headline that promises stability. We look for a diplomatic breakthrough or a de-escalation report to catch our breath, but often, the next notification only brings more weight.
It is a difficult place to be, even from a distance. The secondary trauma of witnessing global upheaval through a screen can lead to a paralyzing sense of helplessness. We feel the “groaning of creation” in every refreshed feed. Yet, as believers, our stability is not found in the absence of conflict—it is found in the presence of the true King.
Scripture tells us that while “the nations rage and the kingdoms totter,” God is not pacing the floors of heaven. He is not surprised by the movement of troops or the rhetoric of earthly leaders. He is seated. In the Middle East right now—across every border currently being contested and in every city where families are hiding away in fear—Christ is actively reigning. He is not a distant observer of the crisis; he is the sovereign Lord who “makes wars cease to the end of the earth” (Psalm 46).
This isn’t a call to ignore the tragedy of war or to minimize the very real human suffering occurring in the region. Rather, it is a call to remember that no missile, mandate, or regime change can move the needle of God’s eternal purposes.
His mission to redeem a people for himself from every tribe and tongue is not hindered by regional instability; historically, it is often accelerated by it.
Our call to share the hope of the gospel doesn’t change when the world gets louder; if anything, it becomes more urgent. In a culture of panic, the most radical thing a Christian can do is remain steady.
So, how do we practically live out this “wartime” faith when the world feels like it’s falling apart?
- Pivot your feed: Every time a news notification hits your phone, take it as a prompt to intercede. Instead of spiraling into a debate about foreign policy, immediately pray for the protection of believers in that specific city. Pray for the underground networks of Iranian believers who are navigating this chaos with incredible courage. Let the news drive you to the throne room, not the comment section.
- Check your hope: If your peace depends on a specific geopolitical outcome or a return to a “calmer” era, it is a fragile peace. Ground your hope in the fact that the gospel has always flourished in the soil of instability. The church began in the middle of an empire that sought to crush it, and it will endure long after modern borders have been redrawn.
- Redirect to Jesus: In your workplace and your neighborhood, be the person who isn’t shaken. When others express dread, don’t meet them with partisan talking points—meet them with Christ. Point them toward the cross and the King whose kingdom cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).
Our task is not to fix the world’s problems through our own strength or political savvy, but to point the world toward the One who holds the world in his hands.
The King is on his throne, and there he will remain. Let that be enough for us today.
This article first appeared in The Commission, Radical’s biweekly newsletter featuring global gospel stories and encouragement from David Platt and others to help you follow Jesus and make him known. Subscribe today.
