In 1970, Alvin Toffler wrote an insightful book that attracted significant attention. Called Future Shock,1 it contemplated the stress caused by society’s rapid pace of change. He touched on a variety of phenomena, such as the rapid pace of life, the throwaway culture, the impact of impermanence, globalism, scientific advances, the collapse of hierarchy, and the fracturing of families. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Toffler’s book, which helped make it an international bestseller, was his argument that the twentieth century’s unprecedented acceleration of change had overwhelmed our coping mechanisms. These developments, he urged, required thoughtful analysis and intentional strategies.
If Future Shock depicted an overwhelming pace of change in 1970, the subsequent decades of human progress have only worsened the condition. We started the twentieth century in the midst of the Industrial Revolution when we relied on animals for transportation and communicated primarily through written letters. By the century’s end, we were flying at the speed of sound and transitioning to a service economy fueled by computers and cell phones. Because of the media’s influence, we have become more susceptible to social programming and the manipulation of powerful marketers.
the “roaring current of change”
In recent years, change has hit us at a dizzying speed, creating even more stress, overstimulation, information overload, instability, and a growing sense of fear about the future. No wonder mental illness is on the rise. The 2025 New Year’s mass killing in New Orleans, for example, can evoke sadness both locally and globally. On the same day, news that our favorite sports team has won a championship can trigger competing waves of emotions. The news cycle, driven by audience numbers and profit motives, thrives on shock, pulling us in all directions. With so much information available, opinion often replaces substance, and people increasingly choose media that supports their worldview. Rather than fostering a more open exchange of ideas, this leads to the growth of isolated, self-reinforcing “tribes” of thought.
Technology is no longer something we control. Smartphones and social media are probably changing the very structure of our brains. From baby boomers to Generation Z, we seem to be slowly evolving into self-absorbed cyborgs. We now face increasing dependence on artificial intelligence, which not only tracks and archives our very lives but is starting to serve us as advisers and life coaches. What Alvin Toffler called “the roaring current of change”2 has become a universal flood that is drowning our identities, creating new cultures, shifting our values, and damaging our mental well-being.
Although future shock is not a specific disease, millions of people are disoriented, feeling incompetent, unstable, and anxious. As Toffler noted, such turmoil can lead to “mass neurosis, irrationality, and free-floating violence,”3 and it’s difficult to argue that these conditions are any less pervasive in the twenty-first century.
So does our struggle to adapt to accelerated change mean that we should put a stop to change as a society? Absolutely not—this would be futile. Just as we wouldn’t jump off a moving train because it’s going too fast, we must accept that the dynamics of change are inevitable. However, we need strategies for managing change in healthy ways. Since we can’t eliminate change from our existence, I suggest a three-part strategy for coping with future shock.
Acknowledgment. The first part of our strategy should be to acknowledge both the problem and its impact. There are indeed enormous pressures on our lives and our psyches just from living in the twenty-first century. We need to be watchful for the telltale signs of stress, especially when it starts manifesting in physical symptoms such as persistent headaches, irritability, fatigue, confusion, panic attacks, lack of energy, or anxiety. When this happens, we need to slow down, consciously limiting activities and sources of stimulation.
To cope effectively with overload, we must also acknowledge our inner lives. As physical, psychological, and spiritual beings, we need to nurture our body, mind, and spirit. In order to withstand severe and persistent change, we need to strengthen all these areas.
Buffering. To help manage this avalanche of change, we must seek ways to protect ourselves from the more obvious sources of stimulation. Every person has a different threshold for handling pressure; therefore, our responses may vary.
Some may need to declutter to seek relief. There is a marked relief in moderating stimuli in our lives. Simplifying our physical environment—by organizing our homes, clearing a messy desk, filing, organizing bills, maintaining our vehicles—can help us feel lighter and less burdened by unnecessary distractions. It is also important to take care of our health by eating right and exercising.
By staying light on our feet, unencumbered by unnecessary physical burdens, we will be in a better position to endure the waves of external change. Minimizing sensory overload may mean pulling down blinds, turning off media devices, and reducing noise. Many vacation marketers capitalize on our need for peace by promoting serene, quiet locations. We need to create our own “islands” of calm in our lives. We must shield our senses or find ways to slow down and smell the roses.
Certainty. Perhaps the most important area we need to build up in order to cope with change is our spiritual life. Humans are incurably religious beings, even the atheists among us. We have an internal life of thoughts and contemplation that cannot be fully explained by science or observation. We crave a connection to a Higher Power that, when understood and nourished, will bring a significant degree of stability to our lives. By anchoring our identity to a strong belief system, we are better positioned to manage the stress around us. Here are some of the benefits of faith in coping with overload:
Faith brings a sense of permanence. The Bible describes God as a “Rock”—a symbol of stability. As Psalm 18:2 says “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” In times of turbulence, faith can ground us. The conviction that a benevolent God is looking over us goes a long way in bringing comfort to our lives.
The Bible encourages us to practice stillness. This stillness is a form of meditation. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). We can remain still when we trust the goodness of God. Psalm 27:14 tells us: “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
The great purpose of Scripture is to reveal God to us. God described His character to Moses: “The LORD, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6, 7). The New Testament tells us that knowing God should be our ultimate life goal: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
Another byproduct of religious faith is internal, soul-preserving peace. Jesus promised: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Also, seeking to follow God’s will in our lives is a source of peace: “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18).
In this world of shifting truths, we ought to know that the quality and power of our religious experience are directly connected to our understanding of Scripture. Our lives are as stable as the words we live by. The Bible breaks through the noise of modern life with a clear voice of wisdom and guidance. God’s own plea is, “My son [my daughter], give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways” (Proverbs 23:26). If we do this, we will be on our way to a more peaceful, stable, and happy life.
Miguel Valdivia is the vice president of Product Development at Pacific Press®.
1. Alvin Toffler, Future Shock (New York: Random House, 1970).
