• armed conflicts

• epidemics

• natural disasters

• poverty

• prejudice

• violent crime

When tragedy strikes, many victims experience shock and hopelessness. Some people react to calamities with what has been called emotional flatness. Yet, when facing a tragedy, prolonged shock and emotional paralysis only make things worse.

In the midst of turmoil, you must act decisively to protect your loved ones, your health, your livelihood, and your happiness.

What can you do now to minimize the impact that this world’s turmoil has on you personally?

WHY IT MATTERS

A crisis or a disaster can negatively affect people’s health either directly or indirectly.

• Adversities leave people feeling stressed, and prolonged stress can make them more susceptible to illness.

• Crises can strain health-care systems and limit the availability of medical resources.

• Calamities affect people’s finances, hindering their ability to pay for essentials such as nutritious food or health care.

What You Should Know

• Serious illness and mental stress can affect your judgment, which can cause you to neglect healthy habits. As a result, you may become even sicker.

• Left untreated, health problems can worsen and even threaten your life.

• The healthier you are, the better prepared you will be to make good decisions in the midst of turmoil.

• Regardless of your economic situation, you can take steps to protect your health.

What You Can Do Now

Whenever possible, a wise person considers potential dangers and takes preventive measures to avoid them. This may be applied to health. Often you can minimize the risk of disease or its severity by practicing good hygiene. Prevention is better than cure.

“By keeping ourselves and our living space clean, we definitely save on expenses related to doctor visits and medication.”​—Andreas.a

WHY IT MATTERS

Many people struggle each day just trying to make ends meet. Sadly, world turmoil can make that challenge even more difficult. Why?

• Communities in turmoil experience a rise in the cost of living​—including food and housing.

• Crises can increase unemployment or decrease wages.

• Disasters can damage or destroy people’s business establishments, homes, or other assets, forcing many into poverty.

What You Should Know

• The better you manage your money, the better you may be able to cope during a crisis.

• Financial security is not necessarily permanent; income, savings, and assets can lose value.

• There are things that money cannot buy, such as happiness and family unity.

What You Can Do Now

The Bible says: “Having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.”​—1 Timothy 6:8.

Being content involves limiting our wants and being satisfied when our daily needs are met. This is especially important when our livelihood has been affected.

To be content, you may have to adjust your lifestyle. If you live beyond your means, your financial situation will only get worse.

WHY IT MATTERS

As anxiety over world turmoil increases, many people unwittingly allow their relationships to suffer.

• People isolate themselves from their friends.

• Spouses become increasingly contentious with each other.

• Parents pay little or no attention to the anxieties of their children.

What You Should Know

• Friendships are essential to your health and stability, especially during difficult times.

• The stress that results from world turmoil can test your family life in unexpected ways.

• Disturbing news reports may affect your children more intensely than you realize.

What You Can Do Now

The Bible says: “A true friend shows love at all times and is a brother who is born for times of distress.”​—Proverbs 17:17.

Think of someone who is supportive and can give practical advice. Just knowing that someone cares can strengthen your determination to face up to the day’s challenges.

WHY IT MATTERS

Anxiety over world turmoil can take a toll on people physically and emotionally. Many who have been affected by these events see no hope on the horizon. How do they react?

• Some refuse even to think about the future.

• Others escape their anxieties through alcohol or drugs.

• A few conclude that death is preferable to life. “Why go on?” they ask.

What You Should Know

• Some of the problems you face might be temporary and could change unexpectedly for the better.

• Even if your situation does not change, there are things you can do that can help you deal with it.

• The Bible provides genuine hope​—a permanent solution to mankind’s problems.

What You Can Do Now

The Bible says: “Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.”​—Matthew 6:34.

Take one day at a time. Do not let anxieties about tomorrow keep you from handling today’s responsibilities.

Worrying about negative things that might happen will only add to your stress and weaken your hope for a better future.

The Bible Offers Genuine Hope

An ancient psalmist said in prayer to God: “Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105) Consider how the Bible​—God’s Word—​is just that.

On a dark night, a lamp helps us decide where to walk. Likewise, the Bible contains practical wisdom that can guide us when we need to make a difficult decision.

A light can illuminate our path so that we can see what is farther ahead. In a similar way, the Bible can illuminate our view of what the future holds.