One Saturday, several years ago, my wife and I were confronted with what, at the time, we considered devastating news. The following day, we attended the usual church services “putting on a brave face” The evening service was a special occasion that was preceded by a prayer meeting for the few who attended. My thoughts were still occupied with the news from the previous day and, somewhat selfishly, I prayed that God would give me a special message. Toward the end of the service and the 30-minute sermon I was still waiting for the divine answer when suddenly the preacher summed up his talk with this phrase – “and as we face the future, we do so either with fear or faith”.
That was an occasion when I felt God had both answered my prayer and had spoken directly to me, using a human channel. The following days were much easier to cope with and over the past years what seemed to be a devastating experience has resulted in amazing joy.
That experience, over 30 years ago, has proved that when we face challenges, a simple trust in God and submission to His will, is a better way of dealing with our fears. It doesn’t stop any immediate sense of panic, but a few moments of sharing those feelings with God may well result in an amazing sense of peace. It has helped me many times and trust you have or will also experience the reality that the future is better faced with faith, not fear.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, how encouraging that you know all about us, and what the present and future holds. Please help us to trust you. AMEN
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