When the World's on Fire, Where Do You Run? | Series Premiere

The world is falling apart. You feel it every morning before your feet hit the floor.

Economic collapse. Political chaos. Families breaking. Churches splitting. Kids drowning in darkness. And you're supposed to just... keep going?

Here's what nobody's saying: we're all terrified.

We're scrolling. We're consuming. We're asking ChatGPT for answers that should be coming from the Holy Spirit. We're running to technology for wisdom instead of running to God.

And we wonder why we feel so empty.

In this episode, we're asking the most important question of 2025: Where do you run when everything's on fire?

We expose the wrong directions—distraction, control, rage, and AI-generated guidance. Then we show you exactly where Jesus says to run: the secret place, worship, the Word, and remembering.

You'll discover: → Why your fear isn't faithless (it's human) → The danger of replacing the Holy Spirit with algorithms → How the next generation will lose God in one generation if we don't act NOW → 6 practical steps to run to God first → The compassion of Christ when you're drowning

This is the series premiere of "Closer When It's Crumbling"—raw, biblical teaching for believers who refuse to settle for shallow faith.

No sugar-coating. No toxic positivity. Just truth that holds when everything else shakes.

Episode Length: [Insert time]

Subscribe now. The world's crumbling, but God's calling you closer.

Chapters

• 0:00 Tempo: 120.0

Transcript

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You wake up every morning to the same feeling: dread. Before your feet hit the floor, you already know what's waiting. Another day of chaos. Another new cycle of disaster. Another crisis you can't control. Economic collapse, political wars, families falling apart, churches splitting, kids drowning in darkness, violence everywhere, confusion about everything. And you're supposed to just what? Keep going? Smile and say you're blessed? Post inspirational quotes while the world burns? Here's what nobody's saying out loud. We're all terrified. We're scrolling. We're consuming. We're asking Siri and Alexa and ChatGPT for answers because we don't know where else to turn. We're letting algorithms guide us because the Holy Spirit feels too distant. We're running to technology for wisdom that should be coming from God. And we wonder why we feel so empty. Here's the truth. Your anxiety isn't weakness. You're not crazy for feeling overwhelmed. But here's the other truth: God is calling you closer, not to escape, not to pretend, but to find him in the fire. Because where you run right now determines who you become tomorrow. Do you run to distraction, to control, to people, to machines, or do you run to the one who controls the storm? This is the God Chaser Podcast with Evan Evans, and we're starting a new series about getting close to God in these trying times. No sugarcoating, no toxic positivity, no churchy slogans that sound good but don't actually help. Just raw truth, practical steps, and scripture strong enough to stand on when everything else is shaking. In this first episode, we're asking the most important question of 2026. When the world's on fire, where do you run? We're going to talk about the places we instinctively run that leave us empty, the difference between good information and God's revelation, why the next generation won't know Jesus if we don't shine the light now. And we're going to show you exactly where Jesus says to run when panic sets in. Because casual Christianity isn't going to survive what's coming. You need roots that go deep, an anchor that holds, a refuge that doesn't crumble when everything around you does. So if you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering how much worse this can get, this episode is for you. If you've been asking Chat GPT questions, you should be asking the Holy Spirit. This episode is for you. If you're ready to stop running in circles and start running to the one who actually has answers, this episode is for you. Happy New Year, family. Let's get closer when it's crumbling. This is the God Chaser Podcast, episode one. Let's go. Let me say this first. You're not weak for feeling overwhelmed. You're not lacking faith for being afraid. You're not a bad Christian for wondering how you're supposed to hold it together. Jesus Himself looked at Jerusalem and wept. Read it in Luke chapter 19, verse 41 to 44. He saw what was coming and it broke his heart. David wrote entire Psalms about feeling crushed. Psalm 6, verse 6 says, I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. Job lost everything in a single day and cursed the day he was born. Job chapter 3, verse 1 to 3. Paul talked about being crushed and overwhelmed and thought we would never live through it. That's in 2 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 8. These weren't weak men, these were giants of faith, and they felt exactly what you're feeling right now. So let's start there. With compassion, with honesty. Jesus sees you, he knows what you're carrying, and he's not disappointed in you for struggling. Matthew chapter 11, verse 28 to 30 says, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. Humble and gentle at heart. That's who's calling you closer right now. Here's what happens when the world catches fire. We panic. And when we panic, we run. But most of us run in the wrong direction. We run to distraction, Netflix, social media, food, shopping, alcohol, porn, work, anything to numb the noise. We scroll for hours because it's easier than praying for five minutes. We binge watch entire seasons because sitting in silence with God feels too heavy. We feel every quiet moment because if we stop moving, we'll have to feel what we're actually feeling. We run to control. We obsess over what we can manage. We try to fix everyone around us. We make plans and backup plans and backup plans for the backup plans. We research, we strategize, we prepare for every worst case scenario. And listen, I'm not saying don't be wise. Proverbs is full of wisdom about preparation. But there's a difference between stewarding what God gave you and trying to become your own savior. When you can't sleep because you're running disaster scenarios in your head, that's not wisdom, that's fear. We run to technology as our guide. Here's a new one that's catching people off guard. AI, ChatGPT, artificial intelligence, digital assistance. And before you tune me out, hear me. I'm not anti-technology. I'm not saying AI is evil, but I am saying this. More and more people are running to AI for wisdom, guidance, direction, and answers that should be coming from the Holy Spirit. They're asking Chat GPT about their marriage, their calling, their purpose, their next move, their typing in their struggles and getting back perfectly crafted responses that sound wise, that feel helpful, that seem good. And most of it probably is good information. But here's the problem: good information is not the same as God's revelation. Jesus said something critical in John chapter 16, verse 13. He said, When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will guide you. But we've replaced him with a chatbot, led by emotion, not by the spirit. And here's what's happening: we're being led by what feels right instead of what the spirit says. Because AI tells us what we want to hear, it validates our feelings, it gives us options that make sense to our human logic. But the Spirit of God, he'll tell you to forgive when you want revenge, to wait when you want to move, to trust when you want to control, to surrender when you want to fight. Romans chapter 8, verse 14 says, For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God, led by the Spirit, not by algorithms. Proverbs 3 verse 5 to 6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Do not depend on your own understanding. That includes the understanding generated by a machine. The coming generation won't know him. And here's what breaks my heart. If we don't shine the light of Jesus now, the generation coming behind us won't know the Holy God. They won't know what it's like to hear from the Spirit. They won't know how to discern his voice. They won't know the difference between human wisdom and divine guidance. They'll grow up asking machines instead of seeking God. They'll grow up trusting algorithms instead of trusting the one who created them. They'll have all the information in the world and none of the transformation that only Jesus brings. Judges chapter 2, verse 10 says, After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. They didn't know him. And it happened in one generation. One generation that didn't pass down the knowledge of God. We can't let that be us. Shine the light now. Jesus said in Matthew chapter 5, verse 14 to 16, you are the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father. You are the light, not your pastor, not some famous preacher, you. And the world is getting darker every single day, which means your light matters more than ever. So when you're tempted to run to AI for answers, run to the Holy Spirit instead. When you're confused about what to do, don't just ask a machine. Ask the one who knows the end from the beginning. When you need wisdom, go to the source. James chapter 1, verse 5 says, If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. We call our friends, we vent, we process, we seek comfort. And again, there's nothing wrong with biblical community. We'll talk about that in a later episode. But if you're running to people before you run to God, you're building your foundation on sand. Psalm 118, verse 8 says, It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. We run to rage. Some of you aren't running to comfort, you're running to anger. You're mad at the government, mad at the church, mad at your family, mad at God. You're posting rants online, getting into arguments, burning bridges, and underneath all that rage, terror. Because anger feels stronger than fear. But it's not, it's just louder. So if all those directions are wrong, where do we run? Let me show you what Scripture says. Matthew chapter 6, verse 6 says, But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father who sees everything will reward you. When the world is screaming, Jesus says, Go somewhere quiet. Shut the door. Get alone with God. I know that sounds too simple. I know your brain is saying, Evan, I don't have time to shut a door. Do you know how much I have to do? Yeah, I do. But here's the question: how's all that doing without prayer working out for you? Are you calmer, stronger, more at peace, or are you just barely surviving? Run to worship. Psalm 46, verse 1 to 3 says, God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge. You know what comes right after that? Verse 10. Be still and know that I am God. Worship isn't singing a song. Worship is declaring who God is when everything else is falling apart. It's saying, God, I don't understand what you're doing, but I know who you are. It's choosing to trust his character when you can't see his plan. Habakkuk did this. Habakkuk chapter 3, verse 17 to 19. He said, Even if the crops fail, even if the fields are empty, even if everything's gone, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. That's not denial, that's defiance. It's saying, Devil, you can take everything else, but you can't have my worship. Run to the word. When the world is dark, you need light. And the word of God is the only light that doesn't flicker, not your feelings. Those change every hour. Not the news that's designed to terrify you. Not social media, that's a cesspool of opinions, not AI-generated answers. That's human knowledge repackaged. Jeremiah chapter 15, verse 16 says, When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight. Devoured, not casually read, not skimmed, devoured. When's the last time you were desperate for scripture? When's the last time you opened the Bible not out of obligation, but out of starvation? Run to remembering. Psalm 77, verse 11 to 12 says, But but then I recall all you have done, O Lord, I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. When you're overwhelmed by what's happening now, remember what God's already done, not just in the Bible, in your life. When has he provided before? Write it down. When has he healed? Remember it. When has he rescued? Rehearse it. Because the God who brought you through that can bring you through this. Let me give you something you can actually do. One, create a daily refuge ritual. Not a long one. Start with 10 minutes before you check your phone, before you turn on the news, before you ask AI anything, before you do anything else. Sit somewhere quiet, read one psalm, pray one honest prayer. That's it. Just 10 minutes of running to God before you run into the chaos. Two, write down one truth. When anxiety hits, your brain lies to you. It says, This is never going to get better. You can't handle this. God's forgotten you. Write down one truth from Scripture that counters the lie. Keep it on your phone, on your mirror, in your car. Read it out loud when the panic comes. Isaiah chapter 41, verse 10. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 3. Limit your intake of fear. You don't need to watch the news for three hours. You don't need to scroll disaster videos on TikTok. You don't need to absorb every terrible thing happening everywhere. Be informed, be wise, but don't be consumed. Philippians chapter 4, verse 8 says, fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. You can't do that if you're drowning in darkness all day. 4. Ask the Holy Spirit first. Before you ask anyone or anything else, ask him. Make it a practice. Train yourself. Question comes up. Holy Spirit, what do you say? Decision needs to be made. Holy Spirit, guide me. Don't know what to do next. Holy Spirit, show me. He's not silent. We've just stopped listening. 5. Find one person to pray with, not vent to, pray with. Someone who will get on their knees with you and cry out to God. Ecclesiastes chapter 4, verse 9 to 10 says, Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. You need someone who will pull you back to Jesus when you start drifting. 6. Practice presence over panic. When your mind starts racing about tomorrow, next week, next year, stop. Breathe. Ask yourself what does God God want from me right now. Not tomorrow, right now. Jesus said it in Matthew chapter 6, verse 34. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. He's not saying ignore the future. He's saying don't let the future rob you of his presence today. Let me show you something beautiful about Jesus. In Mark chapter 4, verse 35 to 41, Jesus and the disciples are in a boat. A violent storm hits. Waves are crashing over the sides. The boat's about to sink. And where's Jesus asleep? The disciples wake him up terrified. Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown? Now watch what Jesus does. Verse 39. Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. He didn't yell at them for being afraid. He didn't lecture them about having more faith. He calmed the storm first. Then he said, Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith? But he said it after he took care of the crisis. That's the compassion of Christ. He sees your fear, he sees your panic, and he doesn't shame you for it. So if you're in a storm right now and all you can do is cry, Jesus, don't you care that I'm drowning? That's enough. He cares. And he's about to speak peace over your chaos. Let me close with this. Psalm 91, verse 1 to 2 says, Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord. He alone is my refuge, my place of safety. He is my God, and I trust him. The shelter of the Most High. That's where you run when the world's on fire. Not to a political party, not to a plan, not to a person, not to a machine, to him. And when you run to him, you find rest. Not because the storm stopped, but because you're with the one who controls the storm. Isaiah chapter 26, verse 3 says, You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. Perfect peace in a world falling apart. How? By fixing your thoughts on Him. Next time, we're talking about spiritual disciplines. Because casual Christianity isn't going to survive what's coming. You need roots that go deep, habits that anchor you, disciplines that make you immovable when everything around you is shaking. So join me next week for episode 2. Spiritual disciplines aren't optional anymore. It's time to get serious. Thanks for listening to the God Chaser Podcast. If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it and remember the world's crumbling, but God's calling you closer. Don't run to the wrong place. Run to Him. I'm Evan Evans. I'll see you next week.

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