Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: INSOUCIANT (06/02/16)
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TITLE: Peace in the Midst of Turmoil | Previous Challenge Entry
By Roy Proctor
06/07/16 -
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While I did not like his questioning I had to admit that he does have some natural reasons for concern, if not outright anxiety, that challenges one's sanity. Being in the upper level of my senior citizenry, it's obvious that life has taken a cruel walk from peace to turmoil.
I grew up on a farm in southern Michigan. Signs of peaceful living were all around us. The relaxing scene of cows frequently chewing their cud while laying in the pasture, added to the scenario of the family farm. In the evening the family sat on the front porch and waved at everyone that drove by. Some folks would stop and visit for a spell.
While there were some troubles around the world, most people felt that victory in World War II ensured a lasting peace.
Few people ever dreamed that every institution that we believed in would be challenged, mocked and suppressed by over zealous unbelievers. The thought of undermining the traditional Christian family never entered our minds. It was unthinkable in those days about the chance of being the victim of terrorist like actions carried out by deranged individuals.
In the natural, my friend has every right to be deeply concerned about what kind of world his grandchildren will be faced with. But, as Christians, we can shed off such a dreadful outlook and put on God's eternal optimism.
First, we can be encouraged to know that the times in which we live are no surprise to God. He
demonstrates this with words He gave to a young pastor in 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
God is not sitting on His throne in heaven ringing his hands and whining with the Son and the Holy Spirit about what they can do to reverse the situation and especially to build safety for those that believe. His response is already settled. He stated so in Isaiah 59:15b:
When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
God is not worried about the future. But how can I help my friend who worries about the future with soul wrenching anxiety that causes men's hearts to fail?
There is no snap of the fingers solution that will take one's worries away. It is a process in which worrying fades as we develop an increasingly intimate relationship with the Lord. A relationship with the One who created us out of the dust of the earth and placed His breath of life into us. The One who has vested His entire self in us. Thus we have the assurance that He wants to place us on the high road of optimism, rather than allowing us to be destroyed by the enemy who comes in like a flood.
This relationship of assurance comes by developing a constant relationship with the Lord. As we meditate on His word and seek Him in our closet of prayer, our heart and soul is filled with joy and victory. He will enable us to withstand the onslaughts of this fallen world and to look with joy to our ultimate eternal victory.
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Red ink: While I did not like his questions[,] I had to admit [that - delete] he does have some natural reasons for concern, if not downright anxiety.