The Invisible Battle: America’s Hidden Anxiety

By Chaplain Mendy Co?n

America is often perceived as a fortress of strength, a global superpower with unparalleled military might and resilience. The drone debacle currently dominating American news networks, however, is revealing an unseen enemy: the anxiety buried deep in the hearts of its citizens.

Over the past weeks, drones have been sighted in multiple states, circling sensitive areas such as airports and military bases. Who is operating these drones? What is their purpose? There are no clear answers. Instead, conspiracy theories are spreading like wildfire on the internet. Speculations range from enemies of America launching a secret campaign to domestic terror cells infiltrating the nation. Rumors escalate, piling on a collective anxiety that feels impossible to ignore.

Yet here is the truth: America remains the strongest nation on earth. The immense power of the American military—a force that defies explanation and imagination—ensures the country’s safety in ways few truly understand. As one high-ranking officer at the Department of Homeland Security recently assured me, “America is ready for the next 50 years.” I believe this wholeheartedly. The resources, technologies, and readiness of America’s armed forces can neutralize any potential threat to the homeland.

So, why the anxiety? Why the collective tension over unidentified drones? Would it have been better if the government had been more transparent at the outset? Could these drones, as hinted in recent news, be linked to a lost shipment of sensitive materials posing an unknown security risk? Or worse, could this silence indicate a government cover-up? After all, history has shown that skepticism of government decisions isn’t always unfounded.

However, the central question is not about the drones themselves, nor even the government’s response. The real issue lies within the reaction: How can unidentified drones trigger a nationwide anxiety crisis? Americans are on edge, burdened by a hidden unease that has been festering for years—consciously and subconsciously. These drones are not the source of anxiety; they are merely the trigger exposing a deeper emotional fragility.

The truth is sobering: Americans are suffering. A silent epidemic of stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil has taken root in our nation. These hidden struggles explain why many citizens are so quick to feel overwhelmed, why a news story can shift the collective mood and unsettle the emotional stability of a country as strong as America.

It’s time to pause. It’s time to reflect on why this hidden crisis exists and what we can do to fix it. America needs to reconnect to a sense of peace, to a deeper state of mind that nurtures resilience instead of fear. Practices such as meditation, relaxation techniques, and self-care must move beyond mere trends—they need to become cornerstones of daily life.

Self-regulation of emotions is a skill we have lost and one we urgently need to relearn. The benefits extend far beyond our individual well-being. Our children are watching us. They see how we react to uncertainty, how we process stress and anxiety, and they mimic us, even subconsciously. Consider this: one in four teenagers today suffers from depression or emotional dysregulation. What will this look like in 10 years if the trend continues?

Unless we take action now, we risk creating a generation rooted in fear, anxiety, and emotional pain. Our children’s future depends on our ability to confront and regulate our own emotions in healthier ways. Families, marriages, workplaces, and communities are already suffering, ravaged by stress, addiction, and emotional instability.

Where are we headed? As we stand at the brink of 2025, it’s time for a collective awakening. Each of us must take personal responsibility to build a future that values emotional well-being as much as material success. Start small: prioritize daily practices of relaxation, emotional regulation, and self-care. Take the time to breathe, to reflect, and to reconnect to what matters most.

The strength of America has never been just its military might, but the resilience of its people. That resilience starts from within—by restoring calm to our minds, balance to our hearts, and hope to our children’s futures.

The unidentified drones are not America’s downfall; they are a wake-up call. It’s time to confront the anxiety beneath the surface and forge a brighter, calmer path forward—for ourselves, for our families, and for the generations to come.

To learn more about the United States Chaplain Corps and its services, visit www.uschaplains.us