Preview for a new Hollywood thriller sends chills up our backs with a one-liner, “Some conspiracy theories aren’t theories at all!”

These days, it is increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. People are constantly whispering something crazy into our ears. We don’t know what to believe or whom we can trust.

For Americans, the daily grind can be our worst enemy. Ups and downs, or the perception of them, keep us in fear of what might be. Comparing where we once were to where we are now, we are discouraged.

Illustration:  Desks form a semi-circle in a classroom high above the busy streets of Bangkok. It’s the first day of Thai language class. Round robin introductions begin- ‘My name is Ti. I am from South Korea,’ ‘…Zigo, …Poland’, ‘…Eante, …Iran’, ‘…Vlad, …Russia’, ‘…Rebecca, …America’

‘America?’ the teacher exclaims. The room goes silent in honor for a couple of seconds.

Another American… same happens.

Outside class at break, Brazilian engineer speaks of how although the younger generation may seem a little lost, America is considered the gold standard.

Election coverage was all over the news in Thailand, and people from all over the world in Bangkok were talking about it. Turn on the TV in a foreign land, and they are often analyzing America- knowing that when she does well, we all do well.

The church abroad still views the United States as a Christian nation.

Pakistani Christians in mass seek asylum due to persecution from Muslim extremists. Recent video posted on social media questions, “Where is America?”

At a recent church lunch in Thailand, Filipino brothers shared strong opinions about the outcome of the U.S. election and foreign policy.

In Cambodia, a pastor preached a sermon using the U.S. Army as an example of the best of the best. U.S. Army clothes and hammocks are proudly sold all over Southeast Asia.

In Peru, there was a palpable respect when the U.S. was mentioned.

Point is- Keep your head up, America. Things aren’t quite as bad as they seem. All is not lost. Praise God.

Let us be thankful this Thanksgiving.

Let us walk worthy of the call. The entire world is watching.

“Praise the Lord!  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 106:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1‭-‬2