Troubles
“Yet God is my king from of old, Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth.” Psalm 74:12 NASB
Photo: http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1283124/thumbs/o-LONDON-RIOTS-facebook.jpg
The daily onslaught of the troubles of the world has troubled my heart.
From the atrocities of the Middle East, to the human suffering in Africa, to the lawlessness in our own country—I am anxious over it all.
So many of the events that are occurring and the commentaries that follow, make me want to shout to the world, “Just stop!”
Stop the hate.
Stop the suffering.
Stop the pain.
But the shouting won’t help.
The shouting won’t change a thing.
The shouting won’t reach the hearts of those that pursue evil.
So the fear and anger builds inside of me.
I’d like to say to you that as a Christian writer I am fearless and can cast aside all the turmoil around me, but I simply can’t. Probably just like you, I want a different world. I want a different society. I want utopia—right here, right now.
But we all know that won’t happen.
And in the midst of my angst, I truly hear words that give me Hope.
“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
These words rise to the top when everything else is pushing me down.
Satan is here. We can’t get around that fact. He is of the world and will rule as such in evil ways until Jesus comes back for the last time.
I have difficulties wrapping my mind around that fact. The idea that God is in overall control, but satan has set up shop here—it’s one of those questions that just won’t be answered until the last day.
I have a sign that sits above my desk:
Photo: Renae Bowman
The words mean more to me these days than ever before.
I am trying to write them upon my heart.
I am trying to remember them to cast aside fear.
I am trying to remember, this is not my eternal home.
And for those days I can’t remember all of that, He whispers yet again:
“My peace I give to you; Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
Do you need a reminder like I do?
Hold fast to these words when the problems seem overwhelming.
Hold fast to what is to come for eternity.
Hold fast to the One who promises perfect peace.
photo: Renae Bowman
Renae,
I’m so glad that I have a God who has real flesh and blood and that He knows exactly what we are going through. I too have been doing a lot of inward AND outward screaming lately over our world. YUCH! My husband keeps telling me over and over again, “It’s not His timing yet.” Husband, it hate it and also love it at the same time when you tell me this. Hmmm……
Ah Chrissy–our husbands are wise men! Mine says the same thing. I too am glad our Savior knows our struggles. Somedays I want Him to return quickly, other days not so much since many loved ones haven’t “found” Him yet. In the meantime, I hold fast to Him to get through the days. Thanks for stopping by.