In an article from The Guardian, dated Feb. 24, 2017, Simon Copland says anxiety disorders are a “way of life” for “Gen Y” (i.e. millennials). Insecurity is defined as, “deficient in assurance: beset by fear and anxiety” (Webster’s).

So, when Copland refers to anxiety as an epidemic for his generation it is another way of saying that millennials suffer from severe insecurity issues.

It’s interesting that, among other causes, Copland refers to a major contributor being social isolation.

People spend more and more time isolated from other people. Everyone, especially young people, get most of their social interaction over a small personal screen in their own personal space without any real human contact.

Young people who get most of their social interaction over social media actually suffer from feelings of loneliness.

We might add things like an atheistic, evolution based, education system to the feelings of insecurity plaguing young people.

The prevalent “Post Modern” mindset is surely another contributing factor.

Where is the sense of security in thinking that this world is all there is to life and that you’re just a higher form of animal with no more real value than any other animal?

Add to that the absolute denial of the existence of truth and you are left with nothing but insecurity.

Then feed into that a constant stream of sensationalized tragedy over TV and social media, throw in some outright propaganda, and you’ve got a sure recipe for complete insecurity and hopelessness.

We can be thankful that God has left us in the hands of a completely insecure world.

Instead of social isolation, he gives us community in the church (Acts 2:41, 47; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 3; cf. Hebrews 10:24, 25). When we obey the gospel of Christ:

We come out of darkness into light (Acts 26:18; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:13, 14).

We come out of condemnation into victory (Rom. 8:1, 14, 18, 28, 31ff).

We come out of anxiety into peace (Matt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:6-7).

We come out of uncertainty into certainty (Rom. 1:18-32; cf. Eph. 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 2:6-17; Ps.  119:104, 128).

Anxiety is a way of life for Gen Y.

In an insecure world, is it any surprise?

Norm Fields is a Minister at the Church of Christ Northside