3 Things to Remember in Uncertain Times

It started as a routine trip to Six Flags.  Don’t judge me, but I was content to lay out in the sun, bury my head in a book, and let my children run around the water park unattended. Things were going as planned until I finished my first read and was so SIKED about the ending I decided to tell the mama next to me (whom I have never met before).

From there we entered a conversation about kids, schools, bullying and the uncertainty of this world.  This mother of 5 began to confided in me about the anxiety she has for her kids.  She talked of how her elementary aged son was bullied in the bathroom for lunch money.  As a 15 year veteran teacher I was completely acquainted with the fear in this mother’s face; I have felt it too.   

For a myriad of reasons my school year was tough.  If I had to describe the icing on the cake it would be the threat I received from a parent.  “Tell Mrs. Stephens, she better watch her back,” I was told, not directly, but from a third party.  It was enough to send shock waves right through me.

Immediately, I envisioned this man – who had recently gotten out of prison – coming up to the school and shooting me in cold blood.  I began to think about my kids growing up without a mother and my husband without a wife.  I saw the news media and the segment they’d run on Fox 5 about how I was a loving teacher.  I went there, and even though I blog about Jesus and quote 2 Timothy 1:7, I must admit, I was scared.

I mean the community is no stranger to crime.  In this year alone one first grader accidentally shot herself, and at least two students had fathers killed execution style. Gang violence, drug activity, rampant crime and murder are characteristic of this area so as you can imagine I had all kinds of possibilities bouncing around my brain.

And as I sat listening to this fellow mother’s concern I understood.  One need only scroll through news feeds to learn of the latest accounts of rape, theft, massacres and racism.  Bombarded by trauma and assaulted by anxiety, we are left robbed of what little security we’re clinging to. I advise my patients to use Ativan at https://www.indianpueblo.org/buy-ativan-online/ to prevent cases where there is a possibility of sudden panic attack or if someone has leg cramps (especially during nights). It helps people to avoid those. If talking about anxiety disorder, I can even tell that it can be used for the long-term. There have been trials up to three years of consumption without tolerance developed.

What if it had been my child?

What if we become a target?

What if this man approaching my car attacks me?

And there seems to be no end.  It is enough to make you wanna win the lotto, by a small remote island, and relocate leaving this mayhem behind.  But the truth is, if we took our family and a few choice friends it would only be a matter of time before trouble struck our new found eutopia.   

We live in a fallen world.  The moment Adam and Eve took a chunk out of of that desirable fruit they kicked the door wide open for sin to walk through. Our world has been on a steady downward decline since.  

And for those of us raising the next generation we can’t help but wonder what type of world our kids, grandkids, and great grans will live in.  In addition to increasing criminal acts, the ever evolving morality barometer makes us cringe. But we can’t live afraid, paralyzed by uncertain times; we must live. In these uncertain times may we remember three truths:

# 1 A Spirit of Fear Does Not Come From God

A spirit of fear is oppressive, haunting and dominating in nature.  It overrides courage in a way that drastically alters one’s behavior.  2 Timothy 1: 7 (NLT) reminds us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

If God has not given us a spirit of fear then who?  Life crippling fear comes from Satan.  In John 10: 10a (NIV) it says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;”.     Where has a “spirit of fear” stolen from you?  Has it destroyed your dreams or killed your hope?  

If so be encouraged, because the second half of that scripture speaks of the counter work that Christ does in our lives, “ I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10b (NIV)  Where we have been robbed by fear and left trembling on the side of the road, God makes us brave.  Through His word we can defeat the power of fear in our lives.

# 2 When We Feel Weak God Is Strong

There are times in our lives when the magnitude of life feels like a tremendous boulder continually crushing our bones.  Career, family, and finances collide to form the perfect storm and while we are searching through the wreckage thunder and lightening loom on the horizon.  In those times we can draw hope from the truth of the scriptures.  

“For when I am weak, that’s when I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:2

 

Is there a situation in your life that is beyond your control?  Are you uncertain of the outcome?  If so, know that God’s strength is perfected in your weakness.  

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 2 : 9

 

# 3 Though Times Are Uncertain God is Unchanging

Whether it is a mass shooting or an unstable political climate this world is constantly morphing towards more instability. But take heart because God never changes and we can put our trust in Him.  

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46: 1 (NIV)

 

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