August. 4, 2020

When I do devotionals at a women’s group I volunteer with, I will share what I have struggled with in the past or what I am struggling with presently, and it is my desire to point others to what God’s Word says about that.

This morning when deciding what to talk about, I thought about our country and the chaos that has been happening over the past few months.

What we are dealing with is nothing different than other countries have dealt with for decades. We have just become a society that has taken much for granted and as a whole, feel entitled to get everything delivered on a silver platter, and if we don’t, we throw very ugly temper tantrums.

It has been said “congregations must discontinue singing” to stop the spread of Covid-19 yet protesting in big crowds has been encouraged at the same time of the ban. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of.

I have to ask myself, “do people really think you can only pick up a virus at church?” I think not. My personal opinion is whoever decided to propose this ban does not like church activity of any kind and using the virus as an excuse seems to be a way to try and end that. To me, music is one of the most beautiful things in my life. Daily, I am singing, and I won’t stop!

I am pretty sure that when people are working out and breathing so forcefully and deeply so much so that sweat goes flying, there are more germs there. I am also pretty certain that on city buses, just sitting or touching anything there and using public bathrooms is more germ filled.

The other day when I heard that not only flags are being burned but Bibles are now being burned, for the world to see the out of control mess we are in, I am appalled.

The other day, my youngest child saw a person wearing a shirt that said, “Blue Live’s Murder”. She was bothered and talked with my husband about it. I was saddened to hear that this even needed to be a conversation but our world seems to be getting filled with more and more hate.

I sure don’t want someone painting me with the same paintbrush as someone else who may do the same thing I do for a living, where I attend church, where I live, or the color of my skin. There are many good people in the world who are making a positive difference as well as many people in the world making bad choices.

Everyone is giving their opinion on the leadership of our country, or lack thereof, causing many to fear where our country is going.

Here are the things I’ve been thinking about….

First of all, I get the privilege to vote….so it is my responsibility to figure out what all leaders stand for. It is also my responsibility to pray for my leaders and my country. I have to wonder if we all prayed every day for our leaders as much as we complained about them, if we would see true change.

“If my people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

I refuse to follow only what my peers are believing because they may or may not have accurate information and, as we all should know, the media loves to put their own dramatic spin on the news, and to trust in everyone we hear or what we read is foolish.

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Proverbs 13:20

Next, I have to realize that no matter who gets elected, God is still on the throne and in control. He already knew everything that has happened was going to happen. He knows what our future holds and HE is in control. He will allow to happen what needs to happen for our good and as our pastor said on Sunday morning that even the bad things that have happened, and will happen, will be used for His good purposes in our lives.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.,
to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28

I wonder how many of us have put our faith and trust in man. I know I have. Over the years, I have allowed myself to fear whether or not the right person is or isn’t elected or what is happening in our communities.

The past few months I have been ill, and sometimes I have feared that the doctors won’t have any more answers but to have me on a lot of medication (up to 49 pills a day) and infusions possibly the rest of my life so my blood-work stays in a healthy range.

As I get ready to go see a new specialist, much doubt comes to my mind as to whether or not he will be able to have answers. And then I think that if the doctors can’t figure it out that it is my job to solve the mysterious puzzle to my health so what do I do? I search everything on the internet that I can think of to find the solution so I can tell the doctors how to fix me.

Then, after I’ve allowed my anxiety to try and take over, I realize I have been trying to put my faith in my doctors, myself, and even google! How silly! God already knows what is wrong with me, and I need to trust that HE will give wisdom on knowing what the next steps are to be.

“Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.”
Psalm 146:3

Here’s the thing: we ARE in trouble. It is just a matter of time and neither you nor I know when that time is but as our pastor said on Sunday, “this is just the beginning of birth pains.” What a chilling feeling that is! It is exciting and scary at the same time! Exciting because I know the ending but scary in what we may have to go through to get there.

“All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”
Matthew 24:8

What’s important to remember and ask ourselves: WHO is the answer to the problems we have created? WHO is the Way, the Truth, and the Life?

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.'”
John 14:6

I am thankful to know WHO I can put my faith in and have true peace that surpasses ALL understanding in the midst of chaos. I am thankful for the freedom, for now, to share about WHO I put my faith in.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you”.
John 14:27

It absolutely saddens and angers me at the injustice I have seen over the months but also sad and angry at the wrong responses. I need to remember not to allow my emotions to take over, as that is very easy for me to do, but instead I need to ask God what it is He wants me to do to make a difference.

“In your anger, do not sin; don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Ephesians 4:26

The most important decision we will ever make in our lives is not who we vote for, although that is important, but Who we put our hope in, our faith in. I personally want security in knowing that no matter how bad this world gets, I know where I will be spending eternity.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1

There are many times I have allowed fear to take over but I must remember the truth that my faith is in my Creator, my Savior, and my Sovereign God who has my best, and my loved one’s best, in His perfect plan.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right Hand”
Isaiah 41:10

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Blessings,
Jennifer