Dear friends,
In this earthly life, it seems to me there’s always something to worry about: natural disasters, current (and potential) wars, shaky finances, relational brokenness, unmet expectations, political, cultural, or racial divisions, senseless violence, the well-beings of our families and friends, our jobs, our health, and more—much much more. But many of the things we fear are largely out of our control.
We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can choose our response.
We can constantly be worried, negative, anxious, fearful, critical, and bitter. OR, we can find the joy for seeing the good in people, choosing joy, offering encouragement, looking for God’s fingerprints, and routinely pausing to find something to be grateful for. In either case, the cycle feeds itself.
Like hummingbirds are attracted to sweet things while vultures scour the earth for dead things, we will always find what we are looking for. Why? Because darkness and light both exist. Good and evil are everyday realities. And we must decide who we’ll trust, and how we’ll spend our lives.
There are plenty of scary things happening in the world, - and so I seek comfort and find great joy, knowing because of Jesus—there is always good.
Even on our darkest days, I can find, you can find, and we all can find so much comfort, especially because Jesus is the light of the world. He’s already carrying the weight of the world on His shoulders, which means we don’t have to.
His gift to us, the Holy Spirit is compelling us and leading us and teaching us and comforting us, which means we’re not alone.
The hope we have in Christ isn’t just wishful thinking or positive vibes. It's hope that’s based on truth—on facts and faith.
So what shall we do?
The Bible says:
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25 NIV
We are to choose our response.
We can fight anxiousness with HOPE.
We can ward off worry with truth-filled ENCOURAGEMENT .
We can resist fear by offering LIFE-GIVING words.
We can REFUSE TO SETTLE for living scared.
We can EXPOSE the darkness to LIGHT.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, be encouraged so the next time we feel anxiety and fear weighing down our hearts, we are to ask God for help and encouragement.
We are to remember and take comfort… He is with us always and He keeps His promises.
We need only continue to look to Him for His Peace which passes all understanding.
We are to choose our response then HOLD FAST!
Yours in Christ,
Deacon Valerie
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