Basically, if people are stirred to invest themselves in their church and bring others to it as something they love, then the challenging circumstances will function as a spur to their devotion. If people panic and start looking for simple solutions -- meaning, ones that will work automatically or which will postpone the great and evil day -- then things will get worse before they get better.
I think there is every reason to be hopeful, but it is certainly very stressful. All I can do is speak the truth and love the people. God will take care of the rest.
