Do you feel overwhelmed by life? Many do, and the reasons are as complex and varied as the earth’s population. Some struggle with health issues, some with relationships, others with economic problems. Some are fearful of losing their jobs or finding proper housing. Our news is filled with terrorist acts and widespread calamity, whether it be natural disasters or manmade violence. The first response many of us feel to all this bad news is fear.
But fear is not a productive response. When I am afraid, I tend to shut down and do little to help myself or others. Sometimes, what we need is some good news to help balance the bad. Is there any good news in this world? Absolutely! All we need to do is look around. Last time I noticed, the sun still came up in the east and set in the west. It has been doing that for as long as anyone can remember. In our northern climates the seasons change. Every year winter is followed by spring, then by summer and fall. It is true, the length and severity of our seasons may vary from year to year, but we always have some bitter cold days when the earth turns brown and our lives feel as gray as the sky. But the cold of winter does not last forever. Eventually, spring will come, bringing with it warm sunshine and gentle rain. Flowers begin to grow, and the world will awaken to the sound of birds singing.
Our lives are much like the earth’s seasons, they go through periods of vibrant life, death, dormancy and then come to life again. There is no question, 2018 will challenge us, but when it does, we must remember those things that never change, like the rising and setting of the sun. That will give us a sense of stability and peace as the world churns around us.
No matter what threatens us in 2018, one thing will never change. God loves us! John 3: 16 says, “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that whosoever should believe in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God’s love was evident years ago when he sent Jesus into this world as babe in manger and it remains to this day, as consistent as the rising and setting of the sun. So, if life threatens to crush you with its worries remember Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33.
Overwhelmed
Do you feel overwhelmed by life? Many do, and the reasons are as complex and varied as the earth’s population. Some struggle with health issues, some with relationships, others with economic problems. Some are fearful of losing their jobs or finding proper housing. Our news is filled with terrorist acts and widespread calamity, whether it be natural disasters or manmade violence. The first response many of us feel to all this bad news is fear.
But fear is not a productive response. When I am afraid, I tend to shut down and do little to help myself or others. Sometimes, what we need is some good news to help balance the bad. Is there any good news in this world? Absolutely! All we need to do is look around. Last time I noticed, the sun still came up in the east and set in the west. It has been doing that for as long as anyone can remember. In our northern climates the seasons change. Every year winter is followed by spring, then by summer and fall. It is true, the length and severity of our seasons may vary from year to year, but we always have some bitter cold days when the earth turns brown and our lives feel as gray as the sky. But the cold of winter does not last forever. Eventually, spring will come, bringing with it warm sunshine and gentle rain. Flowers begin to grow, and the world will awaken to the sound of birds singing.
Our lives are much like the earth’s seasons, they go through periods of vibrant life, death, dormancy and then come to life again. There is no question, 2018 will challenge us, but when it does, we must remember those things that never change, like the rising and setting of the sun. That will give us a sense of stability and peace as the world churns around us.
No matter what threatens us in 2018, one thing will never change. God loves us! John 3: 16 says, “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that whosoever should believe in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God’s love was evident years ago when he sent Jesus into this world as babe in manger and it remains to this day, as consistent as the rising and setting of the sun. So, if life threatens to crush you with its worries remember Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33.
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