11. Faith over Fear.

So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own (Matthew 6:34 NRSV).
 
What will happen tomorrow? Any honest appraisal of the years that lie immediately ahead of us will undoubtedly include a large helping of ominous conjecture. The entire human family is in turmoil – economically, socially, psychologically, politically, philosophically, morally, militarily, scientifically, medically… In fact, some Christians may be wondering whether we are living in that period of upheaval described by Jesus in Luke 21:25-26 when he says that there will be distress and confusion among nations; “People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world.”
 
Reports abound that people are finding the pressure and uncertainty just too much for them. Their inability to cope with life is being expressed in the rise of cults and bizarre premonitions, increased alcohol consumption, drug addiction, divorce, an explosion in mental illness, domestic violence, and myriad other social problems. You might say the nations are suffering from “cosmic anxiety”.
 
How do we, as Christians, cope with all the pressures and uncertainty of these trying times? There’s no perfect answer – no sedative that will make all of the pressure subside. But there is a mind-set and a heart-set that enables believers to “cope”. Jesus encourages us to adopt this attitude when he says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33 KJV).
 
Jesus teaches us how to deal with problems in any age by encouraging us to place God, who already knows everything we need, at the centre of our lives and thinking. We should fix our hearts, minds, and eyes on him, rather than the storms which brew, whether real or imagined. Our heavenly Father is the Lord, both, of our lives and the storms which threaten us. He is all-powerful, and he will “cope”. And in his love, revealed through his beloved Son, he will see his beloved children through.
 
Let’s pray: Lord, in your love, help us to cope – come what may. Help us to find daily strength in your mercy and your might, relying not on ourselves but on your grace, through Jesus Christ, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.  
 
With love,
Pastor Greg
Monday 27th April 2020.

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