Market strategists and online pundits always have explanations for stock-market volatility. That doesn’t mean you have to believe them.

Stop trying to make it make sense.

Just about every volatility storm in the markets quickly morphs into a baloney blizzard, as Wall Street’s market strategists and a swarm of online pundits pretend to explain what just happened and concoct predictions of what will happen next.

It’s time to sharpen your critical-thinking skills. To stay the course as a long-term investor amid this short-term turbulence, you will need them.

On Monday, Aug. 5, the Japanese stock market had its worst day since 1987, crumbling 12.4%, and U.S. stocks slumped 3%. Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX index of volatility, shot up more than 50% to its highest level since the dark pandemic days of 2020. The next day, Japan bounced up 10%, while the S&P 500 gained 1% and the VIX fell 28%. By week’s end stocks stood not far below where they did before the wild ride.