Overcoming Fear
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| Though our world changes, God is with us. |
It seems that all we see now in the news is the devastation that is happening throughout the globe. Many people perhaps think, “Will it happen to me?” Earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes, draughts, title waves and heavy rains are affecting so many people today. Many are losing family and friends and one wonder’s, “Is the world indeed coming to an end?” Some live in fear each day and perhaps they think, what else can happen? Earthquakes in strange places, (including Minnesota) are occurring on a regular basis now and some are devastating many people and causing untold injuries and deaths. Now we see the beginning of the tornado season here in Minnesota and throughout the Midwest, and realize that more tornadoes have hit than ever before and the season has only begun. The weatherman at WCCO has recently stated that over 500 people have perished from tornadoes in the U.S. alone, another record. We watch in the news people trying to pick up after such devastation and wonder again, “Will it happen to me?”
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| Our hope is not in that which is around us, but in the son. |
These thoughts lead us to think, “How do I protect my family from such disasters?” Do I construct a tornado shelter, and should I secure my home from the shock of a large earthquake. Finally we might be think, “Am I justified in becoming afraid and yet still being cautious, where is the balance?”
In Psalms 48:10 we are told to be still and know that he is God. What does that mean? When we are still before God we are listening for our Lord to speak to us. In carrying on a conversation with a friend we find that it is important to listen to them as they listen to us. If we choose to not listen to them, one day we will not have them anymore as a friend because we were to interested only in ourselves and our concerns. God waits patiently for us to be still and listen to him each day. It is sometimes not easy to do this since we live busy lives and sometimes feel that we have so much to do in so little time. Can we make time? As I have previously shared, I have one friend who goes to bed at 9 p.m. and gets up at 3 a.m. to pray and listen to God speak to him. He says it is the only time he has to do this without any interruptions. Perhaps it means getting up at 5:30 a.m. and praying in the darkness of your kitchen or porch, it does not matter where, only that you pray.
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| Even the smallest creature does not escape his gaze. |
So how does this praying relate to the above calamities that I previously spoke of? We cannot hope to prevent or prepare for every possible circumstance in life. But I do know who can help you to see what to do in a timely manner. God speaks to us in Psalms 42:5 saying that our hope lies in him. We cannot depend on governments, weather, homes, income, or our surroundings to provide a secure future for our families and ourselves. Those that have done so have been sadly disappointed at times when disaster has arrived at their doorstep. God promises to be with us and guide us through these challenging times. He does not say that we will not go through them, but that he will not leave us nor forsake us. (Dt. 31:6) This means that we will be victorious even though we might go through great trials because God is by our side.
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| Abby being a hero. |
Sometimes we will not understand why something has happened to us. We must be patient and ask our father for strength, wisdom and insight. Sometimes God will reveal in time that there was a purpose for what happened in your life.
Jesus was a man of peace that knew who his father was and he also knew that God loved him and would always look out for him. We too can say the same for our ourselves and our children, can we not? God loves each of us even more than we love our children and he will not allow us to be left alone to fend for ourselves, only that is if we desire to be left alone. One man once told me that God is a perfect gentleman, he never goes where he is not invited. He waits for us though to invite him into hearts, to be a part of our lives 'and' concerns, all we have to do is take time to read his word, to share our heart’s concerns and to wait upon him by listening to what he has to say to you through his Holy Spirit. We have no reason to fear tomorrow, for he does care for each of us. To know his plan for our lives, we must take the time to be apart of his life. He quietly waits for you; invite him into your life today.
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| Will enjoying nature. |
