# 8-17-23 - Maui Lacks Help, Youth Activists in Montana, Kindness and Mental Health

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 17 Aug 2023, 17 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/8f948306-c489-463a-8a39-b4d7001f405d/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s News at a Glance: As Maui's death toll rises, residents wonder if the government cares. Young activists in Montana fight for a cleaner and greener future. As it turns out, being like Jesus is good for mental health. Who would have guessed? Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: Let us not love with words or speech, but with
[0:03] Speaker 1: actions and in truth. 1 John 3.18 Dear Lord, thank
[0:09] Speaker 1: you for the perfect example of love in Jesus Christ,
[0:12] Speaker 1: who not only spoke of love, but lived it, even
[0:15] Speaker 1: to the point of laying down his life for us.
[0:18] Speaker 1: Teach us to love as you love. Help us to
[0:21] Speaker 1: move beyond mere words to embody love in our deeds,
[0:25] Speaker 1: in our choices, in our daily interactions. Let us reach
[0:29] Speaker 1: out to those in need, Stand by those who are
[0:31] Speaker 1: hurting and offer kindness to all we encounter. We know
[0:35] Speaker 1: that we can only do these things by your Spirit.
[0:39] Speaker 1: So empower us, Lord. Enrich us with your Word and
[0:43] Speaker 1: move us by your Spirit. Grant us the courage and
[0:46] Speaker 1: wisdom to love authentically and to be your hands and
[0:49] Speaker 1: feet in this world, showing people the tangible love that
[0:52] Speaker 1: you have for them. We pray these things in the
[0:55] Speaker 1: loving name of Jesus. Amen. Welcome to Prey News, where
[1:00] Speaker 1: hope is our only bias. Today's news at a glance,
[1:03] Speaker 1: as Maui's death toll rises, residents wonder if the government
[1:06] Speaker 1: even cares. Young activists in Montana fight for a cleaner
[1:10] Speaker 1: and greener future. And as it turns out, being like
[1:13] Speaker 1: Jesus is good for your mental health. Who would have guessed?
[1:16] Speaker 1: Today we consider our responsibility to the people around us.
[1:20] Speaker 1: In a world filled with people only looking out for
[1:22] Speaker 1: number one, we are reminded that Christ calls us to
[1:25] Speaker 1: look out for each other. And we hope today's take
[1:28] Speaker 1: on the news inspires you to action, love, and compassion.
[1:33] Speaker 1: If you've been blessed by this take on the news,
[1:35] Speaker 1: would you consider writing us a review and rating us?
[1:38] Speaker 1: Doing so will help other people find us so they
[1:40] Speaker 1: too can be informed and transformed. Our first story of
[1:45] Speaker 1: today is about some of the troubles that are mounting
[1:47] Speaker 1: in the wake of the Maui fires. The recent wildfire
[1:51] Speaker 1: tragedy in Maui has resulted in a situation that continues
[1:54] Speaker 1: to worsen. Questions about the federal government's response abound, and
[1:58] Speaker 1: demands for immediate and compassionate intervention grow louder. The urgency
[2:02] Speaker 1: of the situation cannot be overstated. One week after brush
[2:05] Speaker 1: fires erupted in Maui, the death toll has reached 106
[2:09] Speaker 1: people and may still rise, making it the deadliest wildfire
[2:13] Speaker 1: in the U.S. in over 100 years. The fires devastated
[2:16] Speaker 1: the historic town of Lahaina specifically, damaging more than 2,200 structures,
[2:22] Speaker 1: and burning around 2,170 acres. The cost to rebuild is
[2:26] Speaker 1: estimated at $ 5. 5 billion. The FEMA director arrived on Maui
[2:32] Speaker 1: early Saturday to assess the damage with Governor Green for
[2:35] Speaker 1: two days. The descriptions of the devastation are harrowing, and
[2:39] Speaker 1: nothing could have prepared those involved for the emotional toll
[2:43] Speaker 1: it has taken on the residents who mourn the loss
[2:46] Speaker 1: of friends, loved ones, homes, and a way of life.
[2:49] Speaker 1: FEMA has activated transitional sheltering assistance programs to temporarily help
[2:55] Speaker 1: displaced residents move from shelters to pre-identified hotels. There's also
[2:59] Speaker 1: a lot of Airbnbs, VRBOs that are opening themselves up
[3:03] Speaker 1: to larger families. Still, the reality remains grim with difficulties
[3:08] Speaker 1: in coordinating and delivering aid. The devastation wrought by the
[3:12] Speaker 1: Maui wildfire is a heart-wrenching chapter in Lahaina's history. with
[3:16] Speaker 1: fears mounting that many children may be among the deceased
[3:20] Speaker 1: and the lost that haven't been found yet. The wildfire's
[3:23] Speaker 1: destruction comes at a time when schools were closed, leaving
[3:27] Speaker 1: numerous children at home as parents struggled to keep their
[3:30] Speaker 1: jobs at nearby resorts. The Biden administration's response has been
[3:34] Speaker 1: questioned for its apparent lack of urgency. While the president
[3:38] Speaker 1: is being briefed regularly, the fact that he has not
[3:41] Speaker 1: made any public comments, coupled with his plans for a
[3:44] Speaker 1: vacation in Lake Tahoe this week, has ignited criticism from
[3:47] Speaker 1: both sides of the aisle. The optics of the president's actions,
[3:51] Speaker 1: or lack thereof, are contrasted sharply with other political figures
[3:54] Speaker 1: such as former presidents Obama and Trump, already rallying private
[3:58] Speaker 1: aid efforts. Former President Obama spent much of his childhood
[4:02] Speaker 1: in Hawaii and has began leveraging his connections and resources
[4:05] Speaker 1: to help. A one-time $ 700 payment from the federal government
[4:09] Speaker 1: was announced as part of the disaster relief, But the
[4:12] Speaker 1: timing of the announcement coming alongside a $ 200 million military
[4:16] Speaker 1: aid distribution to Ukraine raised some eyebrows. Some citizens even
[4:20] Speaker 1: called the $ 700 payment insulting. Local officials are under scrutiny
[4:24] Speaker 1: as well with reports of inadequate preparation and response. Critical
[4:28] Speaker 1: infrastructure such as Lahaina water systems completely collapsed as firefighters
[4:33] Speaker 1: attempted to contain the wildfire, raising questions about the preparedness
[4:37] Speaker 1: of the city and state authorities. The failure of an
[4:40] Speaker 1: early warning system further compounded the disaster. Adding to the
[4:44] Speaker 1: confusion is the alleged restriction of media coverage in West Maui.
[4:48] Speaker 1: You might be wondering why you haven't seen as much
[4:50] Speaker 1: coverage on the news or you haven't seen as many
[4:52] Speaker 1: pictures as you would think. Some journalists have claimed that
[4:55] Speaker 1: local authorities are attempting to keep the area a media-free zone,
[5:00] Speaker 1: leading to concerns about transparency and potential cover-ups. A part
[5:03] Speaker 1: of this might also have to do with the devastation
[5:06] Speaker 1: and the death toll. The unfolding catastrophe in Maui is
[5:10] Speaker 1: both heart-wrenching and infuriating. The inadequacy of the response at
[5:14] Speaker 1: various governmental levels has created a humanitarian crisis that cannot
[5:18] Speaker 1: be ignored. President Biden's response, or lack thereof, has created
[5:21] Speaker 1: an optics problem and transcends mere politics. It's a question
[5:25] Speaker 1: of empathy, compassion, and the responsibility of leadership. While immediate
[5:29] Speaker 1: relief and recovery are paramount, the longer-term questions about the
[5:32] Speaker 1: failure of infrastructure and systems demand thorough investigation and accountability.
[5:37] Speaker 1: The situation demands more than tweets and press briefings. It
[5:41] Speaker 1: requires concrete, compassionate action. People need their leader in times
[5:44] Speaker 1: of tragedy. The tragedy in Maui is a test of governance, humanity,
[5:48] Speaker 1: and the American spirit. And the people of Maui, and
[5:51] Speaker 1: indeed all Americans, deserve nothing less than a government that
[5:54] Speaker 1: acts with urgency, transparency, and empathy. However, in this bleak time,
[5:58] Speaker 1: churches and Christian organizations are coming together, mobilizing to provide
[6:02] Speaker 1: aid and spiritual support. Prayer vigils are being organized to
[6:05] Speaker 1: uplift those affected. reminding that they are not alone in
[6:08] Speaker 1: their suffering. Volunteers and organizations are reaching out with practical assistance,
[6:13] Speaker 1: handing out supplies and giving shelter to people in need.
[6:16] Speaker 1: The Christian community has opened up their homes and second
[6:20] Speaker 1: homes to families that are in need and displaced from
[6:22] Speaker 1: this time. This embodies Christ's teachings to love your neighbor
[6:26] Speaker 1: as yourself in Mark 12.31. The situation also calls for
[6:30] Speaker 1: thoughtful reflection of the importance of community, empathy, and shared
[6:33] Speaker 1: responsibility to care for one another. As the Apostle Paul
[6:36] Speaker 1: wrote in Galatians 6-2, carry each other's burdens and in
[6:40] Speaker 1: this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. The
[6:43] Speaker 1: Lahaina community's collective effort to support and uplift one another
[6:47] Speaker 1: resonates with these biblical principles, offering a glimpse of God's
[6:50] Speaker 1: love and action during a time of despair. So with
[6:54] Speaker 1: all of these things in mind, let's lift this up
[6:56] Speaker 1: to the Lord. Heavenly Father, we lift up the people
[6:59] Speaker 1: of Maui in their time of immense sorrow and loss.
[7:03] Speaker 1: May your comforting presence be with them as they mourn
[7:06] Speaker 1: and rebuild. Guide the hearts and hands of those in
[7:08] Speaker 1: power that they may respond with urgency, compassion, and integrity.
[7:13] Speaker 1: And let our community collectively reflect your love and grace.
[7:17] Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Our second story of today speaks
[7:22] Speaker 1: to the larger priorities of the upcoming generation. In the
[7:25] Speaker 1: picturesque land of Montana, renowned for its beautiful blue sky,
[7:29] Speaker 1: soaring mountain ranges, and sprawling fields, a battle is being fought.
[7:34] Speaker 1: A battle for the future, a battle for the environment.
[7:36] Speaker 1: But it's not just a battle between differing opinions. It's
[7:39] Speaker 1: a conflict that raises profound questions about what we owe
[7:43] Speaker 1: the world and what we owe the generations that will
[7:46] Speaker 1: follow after us. Recently, 16 young activists whose ages range
[7:50] Speaker 1: from 5 to 22 made headlines as a Montana judge
[7:54] Speaker 1: sided with them in a climate case. The plaintiffs argued
[7:57] Speaker 1: that the state's pro-fossil fuel policies contributed to climate change,
[8:01] Speaker 1: thereby violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.
[8:07] Speaker 1: The ruling is significant not only for its immediate impact,
[8:10] Speaker 1: but also for what it represents. It's a story of determination,
[8:14] Speaker 1: of youths taking a stand against policies they perceive as
[8:17] Speaker 1: harmful to the planet they love and call home. Ms.
[8:21] Speaker 1: Rickey Held, the lead plaintiff, had seen firsthand the worsening
[8:25] Speaker 1: climate effects on her family's 7,000-acre ranch, prompting her to act.
[8:29] Speaker 1: Montana is one of the only few states with stipulations
[8:33] Speaker 1: about environmental protections for the next generation in their constitution,
[8:37] Speaker 1: so there was precedent for these youths to actually take
[8:39] Speaker 1: this to trial. However, not everyone shares the enthusiasm of
[8:44] Speaker 1: these young climate warriors. Montana holds 30% of the country's
[8:48] Speaker 1: recoverable coal reserves, and the coal mining industry is an
[8:51] Speaker 1: essential part of the state's economy, employing many, many people.
[8:55] Speaker 1: The lawsuit has proved contentious, especially with those who depend
[8:59] Speaker 1: on the coal industry for their livelihood. Joe Navasio, a
[9:03] Speaker 1: miner for 40 years, sees climate change as a global
[9:06] Speaker 1: issue that can't be solved in Montana alone. He would
[9:10] Speaker 1: point fingers to other countries like China and Russia, who
[9:14] Speaker 1: are big contributors to the global crisis. He criticizes the
[9:18] Speaker 1: lawsuit as an example of environmental groups using children to
[9:21] Speaker 1: advance their agenda without providing solutions for those who might
[9:25] Speaker 1: lose their jobs because of these policies. From a Christian perspective,
[9:30] Speaker 1: the situation in Montana speaks to something deeper than economic
[9:33] Speaker 1: interest and environmental advocacy. It speaks to the delicate balance
[9:37] Speaker 1: we must find in stewarding God's creation. with devotion and diligence.
[9:41] Speaker 1: The Bible teaches us that we have dominion over the
[9:44] Speaker 1: land as image bearers of him. Genesis 1.28 points that out.
[9:48] Speaker 1: But that also comes with responsibility. We are called to
[9:51] Speaker 1: be stewards of the earth, tending to it with care
[9:53] Speaker 1: and love. The passion of Montana's youth is commendable. Their
[9:57] Speaker 1: determination to fight for something they believe in and their
[10:00] Speaker 1: ability to follow through with actions should be applauded. And
[10:03] Speaker 1: it speaks to the hopeful next generation that stands up
[10:06] Speaker 1: for what they believe in. They remind us that the
[10:09] Speaker 1: world is not just ours to use and exploit, but
[10:12] Speaker 1: to nurture and preserve so that we can endure into
[10:14] Speaker 1: the next generation. On the other hand, the concerns of
[10:18] Speaker 1: those who view climate change as overblown and emphasize the
[10:20] Speaker 1: economic importance of the coal industry must also be acknowledged.
[10:24] Speaker 1: There's people's livelihoods and jobs at stake, and we don't
[10:28] Speaker 1: want to make rash decisions that might put people out
[10:30] Speaker 1: of their homes. The needs and fears of people like
[10:33] Speaker 1: Joe Navasio cannot be ignored. The struggle in Montana is
[10:37] Speaker 1: not merely about climate change, it's about a clash of
[10:40] Speaker 1: values and priorities. On the macro scale, this is what's
[10:43] Speaker 1: happening in the United States right now. There's a short-term
[10:47] Speaker 1: view of, wow, we have to maintain these jobs and
[10:50] Speaker 1: these industries, and a long-term view of, is this good
[10:52] Speaker 1: for the environment and we want to steward the world well?
[10:56] Speaker 1: Neither are completely right or completely wrong. There's compromise to
[10:59] Speaker 1: be found. And as believers, we are called to approach
[11:02] Speaker 1: such conflicts with a sense of balance, recognizing the validity
[11:06] Speaker 1: of different perspectives while always keeping in mind our duty
[11:09] Speaker 1: to safeguard God's creation. In the end, The story from
[11:13] Speaker 1: Montana teaches us that stewarding God's world is not just
[11:16] Speaker 1: about laws, policies, or economic gains. It's about respect, responsibility,
[11:20] Speaker 1: and love for the land we inhabit and the Creator
[11:22] Speaker 1: who gave it to us. Montana, with its care for
[11:25] Speaker 1: national forests, ranches, and livestock, has led the charge in
[11:28] Speaker 1: what partnership with the land can look like. May we
[11:31] Speaker 1: always strive to find that delicate balance, nurturing our world
[11:35] Speaker 1: while recognizing the diverse needs and the concerns of our
[11:37] Speaker 1: fellow human beings. In doing so, we honor not only
[11:41] Speaker 1: the creation, but the creator himself, walking in a path
[11:44] Speaker 1: of wisdom, compassion, and faith. So with all this being said,
[11:48] Speaker 1: let's lift it up in prayer. Heavenly Father, guide us
[11:51] Speaker 1: in our stewardship of your magnificent creation, that we may
[11:55] Speaker 1: walk that delicate path between nurturing the earth and honoring
[11:58] Speaker 1: the diverse needs of our fellow human beings. Grant us
[12:01] Speaker 1: wisdom to those in power. compassion to those who fight
[12:05] Speaker 1: for what they believe in, and understanding to those who
[12:07] Speaker 1: face uncertainty and change. May we act with respect, responsibility,
[12:12] Speaker 1: and love, ever mindful of our sacred duty to the
[12:15] Speaker 1: land and to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
[12:19] Speaker 1: Our last story of today might seem obvious to those
[12:21] Speaker 1: who have been following after Jesus their whole lives, trying
[12:25] Speaker 1: to bless the people around them. A new study finds
[12:28] Speaker 1: that performing acts of kindness improves mental health symptoms. Who
[12:32] Speaker 1: would have thought? In a world that often seems rife
[12:34] Speaker 1: with division and despair, a recent study offers a joyful
[12:37] Speaker 1: ray of hope. Researchers have discovered that the simple act
[12:41] Speaker 1: of performing acts of kindness towards others is not just
[12:44] Speaker 1: a moral good, but brings tangible improvements to mental health symptoms.
[12:48] Speaker 1: We would all preach to each other that acts of
[12:51] Speaker 1: kindness and altruism give you joy, but this study goes
[12:54] Speaker 1: beyond the abstract and goes into the concrete, showing that
[12:57] Speaker 1: these simple gestures of goodwill can be more effective in
[13:00] Speaker 1: reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study sought to
[13:04] Speaker 1: test methods of cognitive behavioral therapy, a non-pharmaceutical treatment for
[13:08] Speaker 1: depression and anxiety. It focused on random acts of kindness,
[13:12] Speaker 1: fun activities, and cognitive repraisal techniques. The random acts of
[13:16] Speaker 1: kindness group stood out, leaving a much bigger impact on
[13:19] Speaker 1: positive cognition and emotions early on, fostering social connection and
[13:24] Speaker 1: often outperforming other strategies. Jennifer Chevens, Ohio State University co-author
[13:29] Speaker 1: of the study, expressed surprise at how easy it was
[13:33] Speaker 1: for the participants to perform these kind acts once they
[13:36] Speaker 1: saw that it was good for their mental health. The
[13:38] Speaker 1: study went further to argue that this kindness therapy could
[13:42] Speaker 1: be a significant add-on therapy to most mental health disorders.
[13:46] Speaker 1: The concept of loving one's neighbor and performing acts of
[13:49] Speaker 1: kindness is not a new revelation. It's rooted in the
[13:52] Speaker 1: fabric of our faith. In 1 John, we are told
[13:55] Speaker 1: that sharing the gospel brings joy. This is not just
[13:58] Speaker 1: in preaching, but in deed as well. In Galatians 5.22,
[14:02] Speaker 1: the Bible teaches us that the fruit of the Spirit
[14:04] Speaker 1: is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
[14:10] Speaker 1: These virtues reflect the very nature of God. When we
[14:13] Speaker 1: have His Spirit dwelling within us, and that Spirit is
[14:16] Speaker 1: actively moving through us to action, we experience joy. We
[14:20] Speaker 1: are encouraged in 2 Corinthians 9-7 to give out of joy,
[14:23] Speaker 1: not religious compulsion or guilt. The essence of Christlike giving
[14:27] Speaker 1: is not pious or joyless. Rather, it's self-sacrificial and joyful.
[14:31] Speaker 1: To be selfless and joyful may seem paradoxical to the world,
[14:36] Speaker 1: but to us believers, it's foundational. Jesus said in Mark
[14:39] Speaker 1: 9 that whoever wants to be first in his kingdom
[14:41] Speaker 1: must be a servant of all. So, if you want
[14:44] Speaker 1: to be great, if you want to have a life
[14:46] Speaker 1: that is fulfilling and filled with purpose, you serve the
[14:48] Speaker 1: people around you. We know that in order to get
[14:51] Speaker 1: ahead in God's kingdom, we serve the people around us
[14:53] Speaker 1: with joy and without expectation of anything in return. This
[14:57] Speaker 1: brings us joy. It brings us happiness. And it's cool
[15:00] Speaker 1: to see these cognitive studies reflect that biblical truth. The
[15:04] Speaker 1: significance of kindness in the study also emphasizes the importance
[15:07] Speaker 1: of connection with other people. In a time when social
[15:10] Speaker 1: isolation poses a real threat to well-being, the act of
[15:13] Speaker 1: reaching out with kind gestures becomes not just a normal act,
[15:16] Speaker 1: but a life-affirming one. Chevens has tapped into a profound truth.
[15:21] Speaker 1: Getting out of your own heads through acts of kindness
[15:24] Speaker 1: seems to benefit our well-being. The connections we make through
[15:27] Speaker 1: kindness help us grow as individuals and as a community.
[15:30] Speaker 1: We experience a fulfilling, joyful life, even in the midst
[15:34] Speaker 1: of hardship, even in the midst of struggles. The study's
[15:37] Speaker 1: findings present a golden opportunity for us as believers to
[15:40] Speaker 1: be lightbearers in a world that needs healing. Mental health
[15:44] Speaker 1: issues abound. And we are called to the simplicity of
[15:47] Speaker 1: the gospel. We're loving our neighbors as not just a command,
[15:51] Speaker 1: but a pathway to joy, mental well-being, and clarity. Indeed,
[15:55] Speaker 1: the world may be a much better place if more
[15:57] Speaker 1: of us took this research to heart. The world would
[16:00] Speaker 1: be a better place if we took the Christ-centered attributes
[16:03] Speaker 1: that we are called to to heart. The actions may
[16:05] Speaker 1: be small, but their impact is profound. The next time
[16:09] Speaker 1: you reach out with a kind gesture, remember it's not
[16:11] Speaker 1: just good for others, but it's good for you too.
[16:14] Speaker 1: As it says in 1 John 3.18, let us not
[16:16] Speaker 1: love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.
[16:20] Speaker 1: May these words inspire us to become ambassadors of kindness,
[16:23] Speaker 1: spreading love, joy, and healing in a world that dearly
[16:27] Speaker 1: needs it. So, with all that being said, let's close
[16:30] Speaker 1: our time together in prayer. Heavenly Father, inspire us to
[16:34] Speaker 1: embrace the simple yet profound acts of kindness, recognizing its
[16:38] Speaker 1: power to heal and bring joy to ourselves and others.
[16:42] Speaker 1: May we become ambassadors of your love reflecting the virtues
[16:45] Speaker 1: of selflessness, compassion, and connection. Guide us to act not
[16:49] Speaker 1: just with our words, but with deeds, spreading healing and
[16:52] Speaker 1: hope in a world that needs your touch. Amen. Thank
[16:56] Speaker 1: you for joining us today on Pray News. It is
[16:58] Speaker 1: our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today
[17:01] Speaker 1: you would proceed with hope, love, and determination to be
[17:04] Speaker 1: a force for good. If you've enjoyed this take on
[17:06] Speaker 1: the news, consider writing us a review and share your experience.
[17:09] Speaker 1: We would love to hear from you. You can sign
[17:11] Speaker 1: up for our newsletter at PrayNews.com and there you will
[17:13] Speaker 1: find sources to all of our reporting. Be sure to
[17:16] Speaker 1: download the Pray.com app to make prayer a priority in
[17:19] Speaker 1: your life and experience the Bible in new and exciting ways.

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