When we follow Christ we can be assured that NOTHING that happens in our life happens in vain but instead we can be certain that God will use it for our good and His glory! That is an amazing and freeing bit of knowledge to be armed with. We are called for a purpose and the things He allows to touch our lives have purpose! Often these experiences are the  training ground for Christ working out His character in our lives. We need NOT fear anything. We have been bought with the blood of Christ into His family and He will never leave us or forsake us, regardless of how we may feel or think at times. It is a promise from the Word of God and it doesn’t lie! Hebrews 13:5 NIV ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

We can look around at this world we live in and see miles and miles of hot mess! Evil abounds! Men murdering men, women and children in the name of their god. Selfishness, corruption, hatred, every type of sin imaginable just about everywhere you look. Though this saddens us and should motivate us to pray and  do what we can to help, it should not and must not discourage us! God warned us. The Old and New Testament are full of prophetic words about the very days we are living in. He isn’t surprised and neither should we be.  We must use these days as opportunities to draw nearer to the lover of our soul, Jesus! We must use these days to let our lights shine by living a life pleasing to God, a life of service, a life of reaching out and helping others, a life of being bold in who Christ is and what He offers each and every person alive if they are willing to choose Him!

We can trust Him in these days! We can trust Him regardless of what circumstance we may be walking through or facing. He loves us with an everlasting love! He will never leave us or forsake us! He extends His arms to us and at times will carry us through dark days. Trust Him and allow Him to minister life to you as you lean into Him. Do not be afraid of tomorrow, but instead know that when you awake, His love is no less for you than it is today!  Proverbs 3:25-26 NIV ²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,²⁶ for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.  If there ever was a word for today this is it!  Have NO fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked! Why not, because the LORD will be at your side and keep your foot from being snared! That’s a promise!

It’s time to set aside fear, dread and any other emotion that may be holding you bound! Begin to trust in the God of the universe, the God that formed you in your mother’s womb, the God that called you and has a purpose for your life! You can put BIG trust in our BIG GOD!

Father, help us to put aside all fear and dread, knowing these are not from you for You have said in Your Word that You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind! Increase our faith and trust in You so that we may trust You in all things, knowing You loved us enough to send Jesus to save us. That’s incredible love! Increase our love for the lost and give us a boldness to share the good news of Jesus with all those that need to hear! Give us a heart to help the broken and needy. Let us use every opportunity in these dark days to bring His light to our world.  We ask it all in the precious and beautiful name of Jesus, our Lord and King.  Amen