Whew! That was close...looking around it can be easy to be on the lookout for the next disaster. I find myself sometimes stuck in a negative world view looking at all the bad going on. I recently started to notice that world view effecting my relationship with God and my life. God is good, we know this because His word is full of His goodness and mercy AND LOVE. John 3:16 says FOR GOD SO LOVED....HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON that who ever believes in Him will not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE. That's God, a giving and rescuing God.
Walking by faith is no walk in the park, because everything we see seems so real and often; in these days of instant information; it can be in our faces! 2 Corinthians 4:18 says While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are ETERNAL. The unseen spiritual world is eternal and it effects our natural world, more than we can understand. We don't need to understand it all, to see the effects of it. The tough part is that we as humans are deeply prone to look at the negative, especially if we've participated in darkness or been abused by it. God is good and His work is good because He is LOVE and the bible says He never changes (Malachi. 3:6). That's comforting to me to know in a world that is changing rapidly and not improving in morality; He stays the same and His plan stays the same. God has done wonderful things in my life, but like the children of Israel, I so easily look to what I can see and forget God, being led away to the right and to the left by the bait of the enemy, my own fleshly lusts and the distractions of the world. Turning to God works every time, but it requires faith and trust and that we stay with Him. The longer I go with Him, the more I see that He loves us and His ways and commands are for our own good. We are so used to going by what we see and hear and how it makes us feel. God doesn't work that way. Hebrews 11:6 says But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Faith is not a feeling or something we see. It's believing God whom we can't see.
If you're struggling with a negative world view, or negative thoughts here's a couple scriptures that may help pull you over to the bright side. If you are born again, you are no longer a sinner lost in darkness but you are a saint in the light! (Colossians 1:12-13)
Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Isaiah 30:18-19 and therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you and therefore will he be exalted, that He may have mercy on upon you, For the Lord is a God of judgement; blessed are all they that wait for Him. For the people of Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee.
John 1:4-5 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men, and the light shineth in darkness comprehended it not.
When we focus on the darkness or negative we can't comprehend the Light which is Christ. The Bible says we are the light because Christ is in us, but if our thinking is clouded in negativity our light will be hidden. Philippians 4:8 says Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS. Let's ask God to help us let our light so shine before men so it brings glory to Him!
Father, there's so much going on around us, it can be very scary. The children of Israel were probably scared, but over and over you told them "fear not, for I am with you." We know from your word that you have a plan, and we are part of getting as many as we can reconciled back to you. Help us to look at you and trust you in all circumstances and be a light to those around us. In Jesus Name amen.
God bless you today and make His face shine on you.
In Christ
Lisa
for more information on salvation: www.lifechurchmontrose.org/acceptingchrist
