Scared.

Have you ever been scared?  I have.  I’ve been scared of the ocean ever since I watched the movie, “Jaws”.  I can’t even watch “scary” movies anymore because I take what happens to heart and then have nightmares.  But that kind of “scared” isn’t what I’m talking about - I’m talking about another kind of “scared”. 

The unknown can be scary, don’t you think?  Not knowing what will happen with our health, job, or family or even the economy?  Then there’s the national debt??? – NOW THAT’S SCARY!  My heart is racing just thinking about it. 

Seriously, is there really anything to be scared about?  Yes, there are times when fear (a healthy fear, that is) is warranted and given the way America is heading, I am fearful.  Truly.  

But my focus cannot be on that – on governments and plans and whether or not there will be Social Security.  I can’t even focus on the moral decisions of the leaders of this country, either, for if I do, I buckle.  No, my focus has to be on who God is and what He has done.   

I love how the day after the election, after the numbness wore off, God’s Word permeated my emails.  Facebook pages too.  Fear brought about a renewing of faith.  It bonded those of us who “feared” the worst and felt helpless.  Why?  Cause we were scared.  And when God’s people are scared, they turn to God for strength and His Word for answers.  

Here are some of the Facebook entries: 

Your sense of security must not rest in your possessions or in things going your way. I am training you to depend on Me alone, finding fulfillment in My presence. This entails being satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as My will for the moment. Instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive. Cultivate this receptive stance by trusting Me in EVERY situation! ---taken from my devotion this morning "Jesus Calling"

We serve a mighty God, and He is who I will serve and put my trust in now and forever!

  

With all the problems the World is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind.
Today, I will share with you ten predictions that are true!

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still honor the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn't it great to remember Who Is Really In Control, and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever." ( 1 Peter 1:25 )

Sometimes we need the reminder of just "WHO" is really in control.

 

2 Corinthians 1:9: Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

John Piper: Adversity by its very nature is the removal of things on which our comfort and hope have rested and so it will either result in anger toward God or greater reliance on Him alone for our peace. And His purpose for us in adversity is not that we get angry or discouraged, but that our hope shift off earthly things onto God. God’s main purpose in all adversity is to make us stop trusting in ourselves or any man.

Needless to say, fear subsided and trust showed up.  Trust in the God of the universe.  The God who raises the dead.  Martin Luther noted that “the sin underneath all our sins is the lie of the serpent that we cannot trust the love and grace of Christ and that we must take matters into our own hands.” 

Fellow believer, HOLD ON  - we are in this together.  TOGETHER.  You – me - and the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Don't let Satan scare you into thinking otherwise.  You are not alone AND we can TRUST that God will - HIS WILL BE DONE - He will do as He will do.  Period.  Today – tomorrow – for as long as it takes – until we meet the Prince of Peace face to face.  

May the peace that passes all understanding be yours, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.