A Life in Exile

It helps that I write my posts around two weeks prior to their release, because it keeps me in a place of wonder and uncertainty. Two days ago, as of this writing, the region of the world I love and lived in for over twenty years became headline news once again. By the date this is published, March 18, 2026, things could be much calmer or beyond horrific. For me, this is clear—I don’t know the outcome.

So, what makes you want to keep reading after such a declaration? Perhaps curiosity or a search for insights. Isn’t that what we all look for as we listen to news and podcasts, and read blog posts and Substack articles? If you’re like me, you’re hungry, not just for information about what’s going on, but understanding as to why it’s happening, where it’s all leading, and how it’s going to affect you.

As Christ-followers, how do we not only take in the news and opinions but wisely express our own? Here are a few suggestions.

Consider the perspective

Everyone looks at world events from their own perspective, even if they’re working for an organization that represents an opposing view. My life experience affects my writing—I wouldn’t be writing about the Middle East if it didn’t. If a person has never lived in the Middle East, their ability to understand the clashes of cultures, reasons behind the attacks, and potential outcomes is going to be severely limited. This doesn’t mean they are not right on some issues, but it can bring about a distorted vision of what’s really happening and how it all might end.

This goes for those reporting from Western countries and also for Middle Easterners listening. If I only know the situation from the perspective of my home country of Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, etc., I cannot fully understand the reasoning behind the involvement of the United States government. We all not only speak out of our perspectives, but we also take in information based on our perspectives as well.

This is not to say we don’t listen to multiple voices, because I believe that helps. I listen to news sources and commentary from multiple viewpoints, nations, and governments. It takes more time and effort, but it helps me to form a more well-rounded understanding of events. We don’t have to agree with all we hear, but we do grow by the process of listening to multiple voices on issues.

Pray the news

As I began readings in the Old Testament this year, I thought about how quickly the nations heard the news of the wonders of Israel’s God, as He brought them out of Egypt, leading them to escape slavery and cross the sea. He fed them in the wilderness and defeated their enemies along the way. If we thought that news spread quickly, it’s supersonic in our day. Because we can virtually watch a war as it happens, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and disheartened.

As Christians, we must take all we see, hear, and read to the Throne of Grace, asking the Lord to be with those affected, to guide leaders with wisdom and integrity, and to use His Church to administer His grace, healing, love, and comfort to the lost and hurting. Too much news is bad for the soul and mind, but you can never pray too much, so put down the phone, turn off the TV, and spend some time on your knees.

When it comes to the Middle East, this is where the Lord needs us—praying and seeking His will to be done among peoples who have suffered, rebelled, cried out to Him, and even rejected Him. This war is not unique or a one-off. Wars and conflicts have afflicted this region since the early days, post-Garden. Do you know why? Because it is the region where God chose to plant a people. It’s the region He established for His coming Kingdom. It’s the region where the God-Incarnate walked, lived, preached, healed, and gave His life for the salvation of all nations. It’s the region where Messiah will plant His feet once again and reign forever.

Satan doesn’t like to think about that, so he keeps things stirred up and unsettled. Still, as much as Satan may not like to admit it, he also knows he’s fighting a losing battle. While this gives him much unrest, it is our cause for hope and peace in spite of conflict.

Rest in the sovereignty of God

During our Sunday service, just after the attacks began, tears came to my eyes as Psalm 121 was read. Then, later, a friend who serves in the region also posted the same psalm. It has a special place in my heart, as it was the psalm the Lord gave me while I was in southern Lebanon, on the border with Israel, back in the early 1990s. In real time, I was reminded that my help comes from the Lord, as we almost got stuck in the area due to renewed conflict. Take in these words:

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121 ESV)

Will this newest conflict change the dynamics of the region and perhaps the world? Yes. Will it be for the better? Only God knows. Will Christians suffer or thrive? Yes. Does God not want peace? Of course, but the peace He brings is not necessarily provided by the end of strife, but sometimes in the midst of it. Will we know the peace and protection of this psalm in our lifetime? Yes, because in Christ, we can rest in the present conflict, knowing He has our future peace secured.

Pray for the peoples of the Middle East to lift their eyes to the only One who is our help in times of trouble. While many share opinions, rest in the eternal perspective of the Lord. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, emphasis added).

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Wednesday Wisdom, click HERE, or check out these posts on the Middle East and war: Thoughts on the Middle East, War, In Christ Alone, How Long, O Lord?, Gracious Uncertainty, and Wars and Rumors of Wars.