[moldbreakers]

The past 7 days have been pretty rough. I can’t remember a time in my lifetime where America has been so divided, outspoken and on edge. You can’t turn on the news without seeing discrimination, fear, murder, dishonest politics and evil plastered all over it. No one has missed the events of the past week, and it is a constant topic of discussion. Multiple times, I’ve faced the same, hard question.

“What do you think about all this?”

It’s a fair question. Not an easy one, but a fair one.

I’m hurt. Angry. Confused. Heartbroken.

Those accurately touch the range of emotions I’ve felt. But there’s one word I will never use to describe my feelings about the past few weeks.

I’m not afraid.

It’s true – the world is at a place where we really don’t know what will happen next.

But honestly. we never knew what would happen next. That seems scary, but it’s not. In fact, it’s right where we want to be.

When we aren’t in control, we look to the One who is.

I’m not afraid for myself, my community, my family or my future kids. But that doesn’t mean I sit idly by and do nothing. I know that I must pray for them. I know that I must teach them the commands and truths of God. I know that I must seek God in everything. But I’m not scared for them – because I trust that God’s will will be done and that He will do what He says He will do.

I want people to look at me and know that my trust in the One, True God will not falter despite the world my human eyes see. I want to lead my family, my church, my community and my friends to God because I know his plan and purpose is perfect. We are safe in God’s hands.

Here’s what I have to continually remind myself: I have a personal, intimate relationship with the God who is in control of everything I see around me, and even what I can’t see. So I have no reason to be afraid.

Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

God holds all things together. So despite what I think I see, I trust that God’s plan is right on track.

I don’t claim to know what God is doing. But I do know His promises.

Isaiah 55:8-9: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Even though I don’t know all the day-to-day aspects in the plan of God, I know where we are headed. Jesus is in the business of redeeming everything. He is restoring every part of creation and one day that work will be finished. Revelation 21:5 says, “And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

As Christians, we have to spread the peace that comes from God. Imagine if we shared comfort from God during moments like this, speaking truth and light in the darkness instead of sharing our opinions and thoughts. The fact is that we have the hope that is more important than anything in this world. We should rely on his safety and sink into the peace that He brings. And if we don’t feel that peace, we have to take that concern to God.

Philippians 4:6-7 says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

We can feel many emotions from the reality of the world around us – and we should.

But we can not be afraid.