It’s easy to read the headlines and believe that the world is going the way of the enemy. From the tragedy in Boston, to 9/11, to Sandy Hook Elementary, to wars or threats of wars around the globe.... the devil appears to have taken control of the way our planet spins. But as I prayed for the affected, John 16:33 came to mind....
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
How could God allow tragedy? The answer is simple. Sometimes people choose to do things outside of God’s plan. They disregard the scripture... and plot to bring destruction, chaos, and hurt. People have disobeyed God since the first two in the Garden of Eden...and for thousands of years thereafter. It isn’t new or exclusive to this generation. Freewill is wonderful. It allows us to love God because we WANT to...not because we are forced to. It’s genuine. But this same freedom has a potentially dangerous side. People can choose the other way. Bombs are set. Lives are taken. Families are broken forever.
But God tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world. Will bad things happen here? Yes. Will God be here with us through it? Definitely.
- Through His servants doing whatever it takes to comfort the mourning. God is there.
- Through area churches providing counseling to the grieving. God is there.
- Through Christ-followers around the world that will spend a few extra minutes on their knees in deep prayer. God is there.
To the people that have been directly affected by acts of violence... the prayers of Potential Church are with you. We serve a God that knows anguish firsthand. He has felt what you feel. May His grace and strength continue to be with you as you persevere on the journey back to health. Take heart and know that you aren’t alone... God is there.... He has overcome this world... and He loves you more than you’ll ever know.
