Terrible Times


This week has been a time of terror, tribulation and tragedy. Everything from the Boston Marathon bombings, the explosion of the fertilizer plant in West Texas, the shooting and bombs going off on the MIT campus in Boston has left this country reeling in despair. Lives of many innocent people have been lost and others mortally wounded through these events, leaving many, (even some Christians) wondering, Where is God in the midst of all of this?

While these events have left many are wondering where is God, they have also stirred up fear in the hearts of the people everywhere, especially in the places where it all happened. Nevertheless, it is in times like these that we as believers need to amp up our faith and fix our focus on our faithful Father who promised to never leave nor forsake us.

The Bible declares in Hebrews 12:2-3 KJV, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

Why look to Jesus? He knew all about tragedy. He first hand experienced tragic events in His own life on His journey to the Cross. He was beat beyond recognition, spit on, whipped, mocked and abused. Nevertheless, He said not a word. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:23, "who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." Therefore, we can fix our eyes on Him and do what He did to give us hope in terrible times.

Another reason to look to Jesus is because of one of the most profound things that He did just before He gave up his life on the Cross; He prayed. He prayed and asked the Father to forgive those who had done all those terrible things to Him because they didn't know what they were doing (Luke 23:34). Therefore as we go through times of tragedy, the most important thing we must do is pray. Pray for the victims, those who lost loved ones, healing, justice, wisdom and grace to get through it all to name a few.

We are living in the last days and perilous times have come. However, nothing escapes God's notice and we can trust that He is still on the throne answering the prayers of the righteous. So, don't succumb to fear, have faith in God knowing that His grace is sufficient to get through terrible times. Prayerfully as a believer, these terrible times will help you to learn more about the God of your faith. For those who don't know the Lord, prayerfully these terrible times will cause you to come to know Him.

Remember, don't panic in fear during terrible times. Fix your eyes on Jesus and by faith trust Him for healing, help and hope.

Love, peace and blessings,

Dr. Sheila

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Consider the Consequences

I remember speaking years ago to a friend who is a social worker. She said something to me that has stuck with me to the point that I often share it with others I may be talking to. She said, "There are consequences to everything we do. If you do good, there will be good consequences. If you do bad, there will be bad consequences." This is such a simple truth. It is displayed throughout the Bible, yet, due to the sinful nature of man, many times mankind still make bad choices. Moses told the people in Deuteronomy 30:19 to choose life so that they may live. However, as we know from reading the history of the Israelites after the death of Moses they did not choose life. They chose to disobey God repeatedly and this led to them being taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years. Here's the clincher, God will allow you make bad choices and suffer the consequences. Don't believe it? Look at how Acts 7:42 reads in the Message Bible: "God wasn't at all pleased;
Read more

P - P.R.E.S.S.

Good morning! This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad, and so should you! I am excited about today's teaching in the series, O.C.C.U.P.Y. Until He Comes. This is the area where many times believers faint and give up. However, now is not the time to give up! We must put this leg of the teaching into practice. We MUST, P - P.R.E.S.S. When you think about the word "press," apply this acronym; Put Resolute Energy in Standing Strong. Isn't that powerful? That is what we have to do in the press! You may be caught between a rock and a hard place but you must stand firm in your faith knowing that nothing is too hard for God. P.R.E.S.S.! The thing that I love about the press is that it is the warfare of occupying, and warfare is good because we win! It is the area where we are faced with opposition while training to be about the Father's business. The enemy is prowling about seeking to devour those who are weak. The Word of God tells us to re
Read more

Expect God To Do It

This has been an exciting year! We have seen the hand of the LORD at work in our lives, experiencing His love, peace and blessings. God has taken the good, bad and ugly, and put it all in the mix to work out for the good. Now, a new year is on the horizon. What will come of this year? What new journey will be embarked upon? What kind of growth will be experienced this year? The new year always presents itself with these questions and many others, building hope that the new year will be better than the last. This is a good thing because God wants His children to have hope. The Bible declares in Romans 5:5, "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." That's the New King James Translation. The first part of that verse in the King James Version says, "And hope maketh not ashamed..." Both translations use the word "hope." This is powerful because a simple definition of
Read more