I was saddened to see that a Christian friend was very upset about police action shootings and resultant conversations that she spoke out in anger with expletives on social media toward the offenders. I wasn’t saddened at the outburst; we are all alarmed at the unraveling of events. It made me sad to see the extent of our grief and anger.
Our outrage at the cowardice and audacity of the perpetrators is understandable. We hurt with the victims’ families and cringe with anger at the antics of the malefactors. It is startling to watch these events unfold seeming to get worse day by day.
There are however, two important things we need to be mindful of:
- Jesus foretold that there would be wars and rumors of wars; see that you be not troubled [Mt 24:6]
- Jesus also said “Offenses must come” [Mt. 18:7] and we may not be able to predict where they might come from.
But know this! Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus who by the Holy Spirit, comforts, and constrains us from being overwhelmed so that we can continue to minister to the world rather than be trapped in anger or fear.
This message need not be overly preachy. We are not citizens of this world, we need not fall prey to the age-old tactics of the enemy to make us think that God has deserted us. Take a deep breath and a step back. Today’s news cycle will pass. There is nothing new under the sun and Christ is seated at the right hand and we are seated in heavenly places.
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