Going through 2020 has been like a roller coaster. But without all the controls and safety equipment. At times, it feels like emotional and mental whiplash, as decisions, guidelines, and opinions are reversed. This is not healthy. We must pay attention to what is happening in our community, nation, and world – but, we must avoid being yanked all over the place. So, how must Christians handle this?
The apostle Peter has some commands that, if we obey, will give us stability and allow for us to be healthy and growing. Let me start with 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 8: Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Peter gives us some startling and alarming imagery about our adversary the devil. But there’s another image that has my attention, and it’s at the very start: be of sober spirit. Or literally, be sober.
Now, Peter wasn’t worried about his readers being drunkards; he’s talking more about the devil than he is about alcohol or substance abuse. So, be sober isn’t so much to avoid too much beer or wine. Rather, it’s the idea of being level-headed and not under any outside influence. No matter what may be going on in life, especially as the devil prowls, be level headed. If you are going to be influenced, let it be solely by Jesus Christ.
Interesting to me is that this is not the first time Peter commands his readers who were facing great trails to be sober. Listen to what he commands in chapter 1, verse 13: Prepare your minds for action. Keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Be mentally sharp, not influenced by your circumstances, so that your focus is always on Jesus Christ.
Or another command, this time in chapter 4, verse 7: the end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of … prayer.
So, how do we apply this to the whiplash of 2020? Stay under the influence of Jesus Christ; not under the influence of your circumstances, your trials, your feelings, the news, the opinions. Ground yourself firmly in Jesus and His truth. Stay prayerful; stay spiritually alert. Fix your eyes on Jesus Christ!