If you turn on the news on at any point during the day, it is always bad news. They are explaining how there have been more people harmed, and it's quickly becoming a reminder that it seems like our world is consumed in violence. Thankfully enough, I have never been directly affected by one of these violent crimes, but I mourn with and for those families and people that have.
Even though I have not been directly affected, I can't help but worry that one day I will be, or that someone I know will be at the wrong place at the wrong time. I can't help but worry about the children I will have one day. I worry that it is selfish of me to bring them into to such a violent and hateful world. Along with worry, comes a lot of confusion. I am confused on how people think all this violence is okay. How can someone justify physically harming, or murdering someone else?
After the shooting in Germany, I said a prayer for those families affected. I asked God to be with them as they mourn, and I gave God my worries. I explained to Him that I was beginning to become too fearful to go to the movies or even go to the mall. I know He already knew all that, but there's just something about saying it out loud. Later that night, my daily devotional came up and stated, “Becoming worried with your life? God's got you!” I literally laughed out loud. God is so good.
“God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. That's why we won't be afraid when the world falls apart, when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea, when its waters roar and rage,” Psalm 46:1-3.
How silly of me to continue to be fearful and worried when God literally said that we cannot be afraid, no matter what is happening. How silly that God had to be so blatant with me, that I was failing at completely trusting His unwavering love! Fortunately, God's unfailing love and complete understanding was more direct for me the next day, too. The next day, I clicked on my devotional, again shocked by God's grace: “She holds onto hope for God is forever faithful,” 1 Corinthians 1:9.
Wow. I don't believe this violence is God's doing. I think it's darkness inside people that is winning over the light of Jesus. But I do believe that God's light is going to outshine the darkness.
God's love and grace is the most powerful thing throughout this earth, and I can only pray that the light of Jesus shines through me and helps eliminate some of the hate throughout the world.
