Psalm 43: 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

The first line of the song “How long, Lord Jesus, how long” came to me one morning as I listened to the news broadcast on the death of most of the passengers on a bus in Egypt who were gunned down because they refused to renounce their Christian faith.

This kind of news is so disturbing and the frequency with which innocent lives are being taken nowadays can certainly lead to a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. What can a person do, and believers in particular? Firstly, do something practical. If you are in a position to help when things go wrong, do so. Can you provide shelter, clothing, food, money, anything? Perhaps you can show up to bring comfort.

Secondly, pray. Pray without ceasing, bear these situations up to God in prayer. When the Chibok girls were taken some years ago, prayers were going up continually for them. Although some still remain captive, many have since been released. Thank God. I will continue to pray for those who are still captive because I know God has greater purpose for their individual lives.

How do you personally quiet your own soul in the face of all the tragedy, wickedness and the sadness that threaten to overwhelm you in these times? Firstly, remind yourself that the Scriptures sounded the alarm long ago: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1). The King James Version uses the phrase “perilous times”. This chapter in Timothy then continues to detail all the attitudes and actions which will prevail. So, secondly we are exhorted in verse 12 to be aware that: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  Thirdly, remember to hope only in God, knowing that whether we live or die we belong to him. Make no room for despondency. Encourage yourself as David did in Psalm 43. Continually offer up a sacrifice of praise from deep within you. Finally remind yourself that Jesus took the time to prepare his disciples for the troubles they would face in their day, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)