Sunshine On the Horizon

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

It’s been about 2,000 years since Jesus’ first disciples heard these encouraging words of truth and wisdom. And aren’t they just as reassuring to his modern-day followers like you and me? Surf the web, turn on the TV, or pick up an old-school newspaper, and just try to avoid the unsettling headlines about politics, inflation, and war. There's also no shortage of news stories about natural disasters involving tornadoes, floods, blizzards, and earthquakes.

The point is that whether they’re natural or manmade, storms are all around us. And there’s no escape — even after we’ve logged off the computer, put away the smartphone, or clicked the TV remote button. For some people, their storm might be a job loss or bankruptcy. For others, it’s a chronic illness or the prospect of major surgery. Maybe your tempest involves family or relationship issues like a divorce or the loss of a loved one. It’s enough to make us wonder if God really cares if we’ll make it through life’s choppy waters.

Under such gloomy circumstances, it’s worth reminding ourselves that we worship a Creator who’s much greater than any natural disaster, economic difficulty, or personal dispute. Ours is a God who spoke the universe into creation, formed great mountain ranges with his hands, and parted the seas with a breath.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” asks the writer of Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

Let’s take God at his word that it’s through life’s turmoil that he works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose. And let’s also remember that we’re not exempt from challenges and tragedies just because we put our faith in Jesus. However, once we've taken that eternity-changing step, we gain access to a Power who helps us endure any difficulty — great or small. What’s more, we become beneficiaries of an eternal inheritance that will make our current troubles fade into oblivion.

The storms of life that seem so great today will become laughably insignificant tomorrow. And we can rest assured that even amidst the darkness, blue skies and sunshine are on the horizon.