As with my other caveats, I am not suggesting in this post what is bad/good etc. Simply talking about how we react to the world in which we live.
When good times exist, I observe people stepping up to the microphone or standing in the audience singing (at the top of their lungs) songs such as “Fear is a Liar”. Sadly, I am seeing fear take over every area of our lives. We’ve become completely overtaken by terror. Fear is driving our everyday life. Fear is not conquered!
The crisis at our southern border has many experiencing significant fear about those bringing drugs, disease and more specifically COVID-19 to our country. Furthermore, many despise those around them who speak a different language because they assume they are from said country and taking American jobs. The more this happens, the more we will lose. Fear.
According to the CDC, about 633,000 Americans died from COVID-19. Millions of Americans read this number with absolute terror. Is the number true? We don’t want to believe it. Why? Fear. If the number is true, then COVID-19 is indeed much more serious than the average flu and my life and the life of my children are in danger. Fear.
Many demand that you and I wear a mask at all times. Some even demand you do this outdoors. Is this really science? Double-masking? Why? Fear.
Our government decided to take a heavy-handed, authoritarian, extreme approach to the COVID-19 vaccines. In some health official’s mind, we can only reach herd immunity if 90% of Americans receive the vaccine. Apparently natural immunity from sickness no longer exists. Why such a high number and why the authoritarian approach? Fear.
Millions hate the vaccine and irresponsibility send about viral posts whether true, false or unverified because the post adheres to some deeply held belief. Why? Fear. Fear motivates us to effectively lie to others because we desperately want them to come to “our side”. See my previous past and paper for more information.
Our government is spending money like drunken sailors. We are deep into debt likely to a point of no-return. Republicans hate democrats because they appear to be the ones pushing it. Democrats hate Republicans because they are standing in the way of their agenda. Parents hate teachers because of CRT. Teachers hate parents because they oppose CRT, masks etc.
Cities throughout our country experience nightly chaos. Some have a deeply held belief that law enforcement is out to get them. Deep distrust has permeated through millions of Americans because ill intentioned people have introduced and spread unfounded fear.
We assume that those who disagree with us do so out of some sort of deliberate motive. I’m not so sure you can place such judgment upon most people. People tend to “want” to believe things that resonate with their belief system. Most people don’t dig in to examine the facts & even if they do, some don’t know how to interpret the data. Don’t hear me wrong – do I think that some people deliberately manipulate facts and have a hidden agenda to accomplish their plan. I am quite certain that is true.
Most people do not come over to your side when you are holding a bull-horn, a picket sign and are spitting venom.
What then is our response? Who needs to change?
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14.
The purpose of this blog post is a call to action aimed toward Christians.
Each day, we (me included) spend every non-working hour doing nothing but talking about COVID-19, the vaccine or what our despicable government is doing. I recognize patriotism and there is indeed a place for it. I recognize the need for discernment and there is a place for that. But for once, you need to understand that our country is gone. I see no path to bringing our country back to its moral foundations (minus the despicable things such as slavery). Balance. … We are not the first to live this way. During the first three centuries, the Christian Church experienced significant persecution from the Roman government yet it grew at an incredible rate. Why? … Not Fear! … Courage.
I for one am determined to not let these dark hours get me down. I’ve spent too much time depressed. Too much time researching. Too much time feeling anxious and too much time neglecting those around me who need encouragement. We are raising the next generation! Are we teaching them to live in fear? We are their leaders! We are their example! Let’s let them know that yes, we can operate with discernment and eyes wide open, but more importantly we show them (those with whom we disagree) the love that Jesus showed the world.
Take a moment (today) to say a kind word to someone. Instead of passing along the latest dire threat that mankind is going to perish, send an encouraging text to someone who desperately needs it. Instead of buying something new today – think about someone who needs that money more than you do.
This is not an attempt to determine whether one person or one government official or this group or that group is right. What value is gained when we gain something but lose our own soul in the process?
I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
–Psalm 25:1-3 (NLT)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (sound mind / discipline). –2Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.