In An Evil World ...

 

A terrible tragedy struck my neighborhood this week.  Without going into details, our streets were closed as the SWAT team surrounded a home hostage situation that ended in a murder-suicide.  For the entire day the schools were on lock-down and everyone was told to stay in their homes for safety purposes.  As you can imagine, the unknown details at the time left us feeling scared and worried.  It's unfortunate for how it ended and I wonder how someone could do something to himself and especially to someone else.  What was going on in his mind?  I know nothing of it but I do know this was a man who desperately was feeling angry and lost.  This man needed Jesus.  

Lately, I've been thinking about all of the things going on in today's world.  Not just in the world but in our own country.  Well, now even in my own backyard.  People are suffering.  People are struggling.  People are lost.  People are hurting.  Mental illness is at a rise.  I was listening to Sadie Robertson's podcast the other day where her guest, who happens to be my favorite singer, Lauren Daigle talked about how one of the reasons why mental illness is on the rise is because our society makes us feel as though we have to rush through everything and have it all immediately figured out.  I believe mental illness, along with all other problems in the world stem from many, many issues but first and foremost it's because we live in a world without God being in front and center.  

Can you imagine living in a world where everyone followed the commandments of God and all the rules set in the Bible?  To love one another, including our enemies.  To not murder, lie, cheat, or steal.  To stay committed and faithful to the one we marry, and to save ourselves for that marriage.  To live each day serving, helping, lifting, encouraging and loving.  Maybe then we could have perfect peace.  Instead, people are questioning why the issues of this world are getting much more worse than they've ever been.  Maybe it's because people have become accepting and tolerant towards evil, and  evil certainly has a way of disguising itself as something good.  People feel a sense of entitlement and if something doesn't go their way they take it out on others.  There are many homes without fathers and other homes with parents who don't put in much effort to discipline and set structure.  The acceptance of abortion has taught us that life has no value and then wonder why there are so many murders around us.  Are you understanding where I'm going with this?  Our parents' generation did not go through any of the things we see in schools today.  It's so abundantly clear to me why things have changed.  If only others could see it too.  

Last night I laid in bed thinking of the events of the day but I was also thinking about other issues surrounding our world.  This morning as I took a moment for myself and browsed Pinterest I came across that picture shared above with the verse that reads, "Never let evil get the best of you; instead, overpower evil with the good" and I wondered how I could do my part in making sure my mind stays clear of all the negativity.  First, I think it's best to do what it states in this picture that I found on Facebook.

It's important to stay vigilant and informed of what's going on but sometimes hearing too much is just not good.  My father will sit and watch Fox News all day and then writes an editorial in the local newspaper stating his opinion.  He gets himself fired up to a point where you can see his blood pressure rising and it's all he wants to talk about.  

Evil is going to be around because sin exists.  All I can do is work on myself and be a source of encouragement and peace to those around me.  I also have to raise my kids with the faith and tools they need to be successful as they grow and go through adulthood.  

More importantly, I'm putting my trust solely on God.  He never promised we wouldn't see trouble in this world.  In fact, He warned us we would.  But He also promises that He would deliver us from it.  In His time and in His way.  I have to drown out the noise around me and trust that He is in control.  Even if the world is on fire around me and all seems hopeless I'm reminded that there is an eternal life in Heaven and that is where I will find that perfect peace.  

I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to share some of my deep thoughts with you today.