Psalms 118:6 (NLT), “The lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

When you take a look at some of the horrific things going on in our world you can become afraid. Here in the United States, we have mass shootings for no apparent reason where innocent lives are taken. Just recently a person in Kalamazoo, Michigan drove around shooting people at random killing several. There seems to be constant conflict overseas with different wars going on. The result is millions of refugees, which includes women and children, wandering around without a home. We still have terrorist attacks across the globe which shakes our sense of security.

These things should come as no surprise to us because the enemy is always at work. Remember what it says in John 10:10 (NLT), “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” There is no doubt in my mind the enemy is working hard each and every day to destroy our lives. He will use any tactic necessary to accomplish that task. So if he can’t physically destroy you, he will try to mentally destroy you.

And that is what he is doing when he gets you to focus on all the death and destruction in the world. It gives you a warped sense of this world and your life. You will start to live your life in fear, not trusting others and thinking only of yourself. Once you start doing that the enemy has won and you are no longer living life the way God intended you to. So how do you combat the enemy so you don’t live a life of fear?

First, remember the second part of John 10:10 where it says, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” This is what Jesus has for each of you. The death and destruction you see is not from God and you should not focus on that. You have to focus your attention on the good in this world and in your own life. In those times when I feel overwhelmed by the negativity of the world, I love to focus on my family and what a blessing they are. When I focus on them I can’t help but smile and feel better about my life. To me they are an example of the rich and satisfying life God has for me. It’s time for you to focus on your examples.

Second, regardless of what the enemy throws at you, you are a child of God. Even if the enemy brings death your way, he has not won. Whether it’s you or someone you love who is also walking with the Lord, when death comes it does not defeat you. Jesus defeated death with his sacrifice on the cross so each of us will have eternal life. 1 John 5:11 (NLT) says, “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His son.”

My friends, I know the events of this world can be scary at times. They cause you to worry not just about yourself but your family and friends. God doesn’t want you to go through life worried and afraid. He wants you to take your focus of the enemy’s tactics and put it on Him. In Him you will find rest and peace. In Him you will not be afraid.

Truth In Love! ~ Chuck