Faith or Fear

We live in a fallen world where sin and death abound.  Whether a faithful follower of Christ or degenerate disbeliever, tragedy and turmoil await us as we make the journey of life.  No one gets a free pass over or around the pain and sorrow of this world.  All of us must journey through it, be touched by it and ultimately be taken out of this world due to the power of sin and death.

The very best among us may suffer the very worst.  The most offensive may face the least offences.  But all of us will suffer the slings and arrows hurled in the battle "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph 6:12).

While there are some purely natural causes of suffering like tornadoes and earthquakes.  Most of what we suffer comes about by the poor or sinful use of someone's freedom of choice.  It is primarily sin that causes suffering.  Think of the suffering war causes to innocents.  Ever wonder why there seems to be so much more cancer in our society?  Have you looked at the chemicals on the labels of our foods or noticed the amount of pesticides used?  People are starving all over the world at a time when we can't control our weight.  There is plenty of food to feed everyone but too much greed to allow that to happen.

Nonetheless, regardless of how it comes about, you can count on sin and death causing suffering.  You can look forward to it in your personal life.  And whether a devout Christian or not, the journey of life takes us through a fallen world.  So what?  What do we do about it?  How does being a follower of Jesus make any difference?

The difference in the faithful and the faithless is how we face the difficulties.  There are two basic options: Faith or Fear.  Not knowing what the outcome will be produces the fear of the unknown.  Knowing that God is in control and "will work all things to the good of those who love him" (Rom 8:28) allows us to relax in His presence.  For as Peter tells us "even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.  Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened" (1 Pet 3:14).  Regardless of the circumstances, God's children are blessed in Him.  Faith overrules fear.  Jus' Say'n.