Tough Times

Tough times. They're all around us. We see them in the world at large. We see them in our nation. We see them in our state and our city. We see them in our neighborhood and worse yet, we see them in our own lives. Tough times.

I’m a bit of a news junkie. That’s both good and bad. It’s good because I’m often well informed of what’s going on in the world and am aware of the many issues that face us all – particularly us Americans and Christians. And a nice little perk to being well informed, is that I’m usually pretty good at trivia (Millionaire, here I come…)! Sometimes there are nice, feel-good stories that make the news, but unfortunately that’s fairly rare. Which leads to the bad. There is so much bad news that happens. Watching one newscast does a pretty good job of reminding us that we do indeed live in a fallen world. There is so much tragedy, and horror and repulsion out there. So often I find myself watching or reading a news story and find myself crying out, “Why God, why?” All too often, there are no answers.

The American economy and mortgage crisis has hit many, and hit hard. The skyrocketing price of food and fuel has struck at the perceived security many of us believed we had. Sadly, that in turn means that charitable giving is down and food is scarce for those who have to rely on others, both at home and abroad. Anger, tension and tempers are up, as people lash out at one another for little, inconsequential things because their stress levels are way too high.

Crimes against humanity have always been around. (Anyone remember hearing about Cain and Abel?) Looking at history it seems that there have always been cycles of light and darkness, better and worse, charity and greed, freedom and oppression. With all the horrendous crimes that are committed every day, it seems that we have reached a low-point for respecting human life.

Yes, times are tough, all around. Jesus himself confirmed this was true, but he didn’t stop there. He also gave us a promise. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He has overcome the world! For us! We can look at the obvious signs of our times, grab hold of them and be in despair, or we can choose to see the signs, turn them over to Him and receive the peace that He has for us. While we are yet in this world, we will observe and experience tough times. But the good news is we will never have to experience them alone.

Isaiah 43:1-3, “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

(C) 2008 Tracy Keck