I hate the news.

The ABC World News theme is enough to upset me- because is always means bad things. The news of a terrorist strike, the implosion of our economy, or the ravaging of a deadly new virus.  All repose and peace flee in the breaking of another news story. The words of Luke 21:26 seem written for my heart: “…men’s hearts failing them with fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

Our Savior commands us to fear not. But chanting 2 Timothy 1:7 like a magical mantra doesn’t exactly keep away the boogie man. The enemy loves to slay us with fear and anxiety, so heavy so deep we can hardly breathe. With hearts terrorized and minds driven wild with worry, it’s no wonder our spirits feel faint. What are we to do?

Praise be to God, who knows our hearts, understands our fears, and always provides a way out. He offers us the shining promise of 1 Thessalonians 5:8:

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”

When the enemy wars against our hearts, pummeling them with fear, we have a breastplate. A breastplate of faith and love that shouts God will never let us down and that His perfect love casts out all fear.

When the enemy wars against our minds, attacking them with anxiety, we have a helmet.
A helmet of the hope of salvation that this is not our home. We are just passing through and an eternal glory waits for us. As well as the promise of an abundant life even here on earth.

So take heart, my friends, that even the evening news cannot shake us when we remember Whose we are.

His.

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“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – Jesus