Most of us have never seen these global changes on a daily basis. It can be very upsetting if we focus on the news. Most of the reports I have seen are focused on the panic of the world leaders. The reporters are speaking mostly very doomsday negative predictions and stating them as fact. I am not saying it isn’t quite bad, but I feel like we should be very careful with our words. I would like to encourage each of you, as I remind myself, that no matter what, God is not surprised with this global virus outbreak. He saw it coming and has prepared us in ways that we may not recognize right now. It is a barometer of the faith in our hearts. When we catch ourselves growing anxious or fearing what may happen to us or our loved ones, let’s turn our thoughts and our prayers to thanksgiving for God’s hand in our lives. Let’s thank Him for uncovering fear, repent for our limited view from where we stand, and thank God for His protection over our families.
GOD ALONE CAN WIPE THIS VIRUS OUT! LET’S ASK HIM TO ERADICATE IT ACROSS THE GLOBE!
“Fog of War”
As I write this article we are in the midst of a world wide pandemic caused by the coronavirus. Closures everywhere: schools, businesses, travel, sporting events, Christian outreaches in stadiums, etc. You name it and it’s being affected. Jesus told us there would be days like this. The Bible tells us over and over again that this world is ‘uncertain’… ‘undependable’… ‘fleeting’… BUT says the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” In a world driven by fear (again), Jesus offers us His peace.
14 yrs. ago the Lord moved upon us to start Timothy International. He gave us the model for ministry out of Acts 14:22 He told us to “strengthen the disciples, encourage them to keep the faith, saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God.”
I came across a military term that fits our world as it is today. It’s called the “fog of war”. The term applies to the experience of individual soldiers in battle, often cited as the pure confusion of direction, location, and perspective on a battlefield. Officers and soldiers become separated, orders become confused and subject to revision with poor communication. Sounds and vision are limited from the perspective of the individual and may not be easily resolved, resulting in a continuing uncertainty, a perceptual “fog”. (Wikipedia)
God’s Word tells us 103 times .. “do not be afraid or do not fear”! Why? Because God has it under control. He is NOT worried or concerned about the future. Fear should have no place in us! Jesus goes so far as to tell us not to worry about tomorrow because it will take care of itself. The ‘fog of war’ and plain old ‘fear’ takes away our vision of who is actually in control.
So let’s all take a deep breathe, let it out slowly and remember who is in control here! Be wise with the time our country has given us from all the cancellations. Instead of panicking, why don’t we spend some extended time talking to Jesus about what He’s doing around the world instead of watching the news and being fearful of what might happen.
As followers of Christ
this is our time
to SHINE!
