Expert: Carl Fuglein - 4/11/2010

Question
Hello there,

I go to a private, interdenominational Christian high school. It's great - except for three teachers who have ideas they insist on sharing in depth daily. One of these teachers is my Bible teacher. He is obsessed with the end times, and constantly shares what he thinks are "signs" with us everyday. He also highlights the horrors Christians in the last days will go through - every morning. It's driving me nuts, his words are seeping into my mind and thinking about it everyday when he talks is scaring the life out of me. Don't get me wrong: I know very well that the ending days won't be pretty, I just wish I didn't have to hear about them everyday.

In my history class - also in the morning - is another teacher. She is obsessed with persecution. Everyday, in front of my class, she prays something like this: "Oh Lord, please prepare us for when persecution comes. Give us the strength to endure torture and loss of freedom for Your name." She then tells my class that it could come in our lifetime, and it most likely will, and that at least one of us could be tortured or martyred for Christ. She is obsessed with Voice of the Martyrs. She also lists the benefits of persecution. She says we shouldn't desire it, but I think she wants it to come badly. I have mind pictures of being tortured, and sometimes I break down in tears. Her daily persecution ramble is getting under my skin. Again, I know that as a follower of Christ, I should expect it, but why does she have to talk about the worst of it everyday?

Last but not least is my art teacher. Her class is at the end of day, every other day, so it isn't as bad. She is obsessed with the decay and fall of America. She thinks the economy is just the beginning and buys into the major conspiracy theories and agonizes over what her kids will go through. She is certain that all the future holds is darkness. While the others and I draw, she talks about this - in detail. Now I'm scared of the future and even wondering if I should immigrate when I turn 18.

For two or three hours (depending on the day) a day total, I hear about the coming of end times, great persecution, and the fall of America in my lifetime, soon. Again, this has been going on all school year. I am so scared I want to pull my hair out. I don't think I've ever experienced so much fear in my life before. Every night is a battle to stop thinking about it. I feel myself distancing from God as the chronic fear takes over.

Then the weekend comes. I calm down, have God's peace and all the fear goes away. I can concentrate on what He wants me to do. But then Monday comes, the three teachers get going again and the fear starts again. I HATE going to school because I know I will hear more extreme pessimism on the near future. Before this year (and these three teachers!), I loved going to school.

Before this school year, I was eager to start life. I wanted to research colleges, and I was thrilled to see what God had for my life. I was on fire for Him, and I was excited about the future. But then this year and the three teachers came. Now, after listening to their awful predictions on a daily basis, I have "futurephobia." Their ideas are getting to me, and despite myself I find myself believing them fully. I wonder what the point of continuing and planning for the future is, if all there is for me is a few years of agony, then torture and death. I really have no motivation to move forward now. I dread the future now. I know this sounds extreme, but I don't know how else to describe it. It's pretty bad and it's getting in the way of my relationship with God. I think I'm over the deep end. Why oh why do my teachers have to talk like this so regularly? I thought we were supposed to encourage (Hebrews 10:25) one another! And expand the kingdom! Not sit around and discuss again and again a trashed future with certain doom ahead!

My parents went in to talk the teachers after a few months, but it didn't do any good. Now there is only a month and a half left of school, but the three show no sign of slowing down. My parents have decided to send me to another Christian school next year, which is a great relief to me. But I still have to listen to another month and a half of dire and hopeless predictions! And then recover from a year of it! I don't know what to do. I don't know how I can take another month and half. I don't want to take another month and half. Help! Do you have any advice on how I can get over this fear? On how I can survive the next month+ of it? On how I can get my hope and optimism of days ahead back? On how I can back in tune with God? Ohhhh! All of this is such a mess! What would you do if you were in my situation? I have no idea what to do now. I would appreciate any direction.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

P.S. Ug, I sound like a drama queen. Sorry for the long, poorly written rant-question hybrid. I started typing and all my stress came tumbling out, like a turned on faucet. I hope that body of jumbled letters is understandable.

Answer
I don't mind the ranting, that's what I'm here for.

Unfortunately, the only advice I have for you is to suck it up and put it on your list of life experiences.  Not all people are so obsessed with negativity, but we have to deal with when it is placed in our paths.  Just feel fortunate that your parents see the light and put you in another school.  There are plenty of positive schools and colleges, and I pray you find one.

Sorry for the advice, but it's the best I got.  Just pray a lot and know that what's coming AFTER all those negative endtimes is the glory of heaven where we can praise Jesus all day long without anyone being negative!

blessings,
carl