Fear Factor

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

-- Mark 10:27

Natural disasters. Political infighting. Government corruption.

It seems like most headlines these days involve some painful issue involving politics, weather or the economy. There's escalating rhetoric about war in the Middle East and trade tariffs with China. And then there’s the cleanup from Hurricane Florence, which recently brought death and destruction to the East Coast. It’s one thing after another.

On the bright side, the nation’s economy and stock market are booming,

and employment levels are the best they’ve been in years. But is it any wonder that some people still fear what tomorrow will bring? After all, the future isn’t getting any brighter. (At least, that’s what the media keeps repeating 24/7 on cable TV and the Internet.)

Of course, bad news isn't anything new in America, and not everyone listens to the gloom-and-doomers. And it’s a good thing that they don’t. For example, consider Kellogg's Rice Crispies, Hyundai automobiles, Kraft Miracle Whip and the Apple iPod. They're all extremely successful products that were introduced during economic downturns. How different would life be today if these companies had listened to the naysayers, followed conventional wisdom and decided against taking a risk in the marketplace?

Few would have blamed them had they played it safe. After all, fear and uncertainty come naturally when times get rough. God can seem far away. And we can feel discouraged and abandoned because we don't feel his presence. What's more, it doesn't help when the devil continues to talk us out of taking that first step of courage. But the truth is that God knows the plans he has for us. And he also sees us for what we can become and not for who we are now.

Whatever we fear, the important thing to remember is that we don't face it alone. In fact, it's when we're in God's presence that we're the most protected. It's all a matter of coming to our Father in prayer, listening for his response and guidance, and obeying accordingly in faith.

Do all the negative headlines have you fearing for the future? God is the inventor of time. So when it comes to the future — as well as the past and the present — he’s already there for us.