When we read such stories, it’s hard not to feel powerless. No one can say with certainty what will happen as a result of the UIA Flight 752 tragedy. We don’t know what to expect in the larger geopolitical conflict between Iran and the West and its allies.
What we can know is that true happiness is not found in this fallen world, no matter how stable or unstable it seems to be.
In The Right Side of History, Ben Shapiro reports that three-quarters of Americans say they aren’t confident “life for our children’s generation will be better than it has been for us.” A huge plurality of young Americans are more fearful than hopeful for the future. Suicide rates are rising dramatically.
Here’s his explanation: “The problem is that what we’re pursuing isn’t happiness anymore. We’re pursuing other priorities: physical pleasure, emotional catharsis, monetary stability. All these things are important, of course, but they don’t bring lasting happiness. At best, they’re means necessary to the pursuit of happiness. But we’ve mixed up the means with the end. And in so doing, we’ve left our souls in desperate need of sustenance.”
What is the path to happiness? Shapiro: “Lasting happiness can only be achieved through cultivation of soul and mind. And cultivating our souls and minds requires us to live with moral purpose.”
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you”
Living with “moral purpose” is the best way to prepare for another day on our broken planet. Like Sheyda Shadkhoo, we are all facing mortality today. But if our life purpose is to know Jesus and make him known, the worst that can happen to us is the doorway to the best that can happen to us.
And we can claim God’s assurance: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). We can pray with David, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). And our peace in perilous times will be a powerful witness to a fearful culture.
