We’re halfway there – halfway through 2020 and halfway to 2021! This has been quite the year, hasn’t it?
How have you weathered it? Be honest, now. Has it been overwhelming, disheartening, a weight in your heart and life? Or has it been a time of realizations? An opportunity to rally and not let circumstances get you down?
Disheartening
I would be lying if I didn’t say that I had found some aspects of this year disheartening. But I have also found that the more I try to gauge what is going on by reading the news, the more discouraged I can get. And having a heavy heart really comes back to perspective.
To curb this heaviness, I really don’t keep up with the news. Yes, I have an awareness of what’s going on by keeping up with select people whose opinions I value, but I don’t hang on every article published by news outlets.
We have to guard ourselves to what news we pay attention to. I was discussing this with a lady just the other night. She shared that due to the volume of what she was hearing, it must be true. I encouraged her and I will encourage you, don’t fall for sensationalism. Sensationalism is defined as the use of exciting or shocking stories at the expense of accuracy used to spark interest or excitement. Just don’t fall for it.
We can find excellent tools in the Bible to guard against falling for sensationalism. Weigh the headlines or even the excerpts of the stories on Philippians 4:8 – whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, if there is any excellence or anything worthy of praise, think on these things. This set of guidelines is priceless in guarding against false stories.
Another interesting dimension that should make you pause and ponder, is the headline itself. Is it seeking to inspire and encourage or is it frightening and scary. If you have ever been in sales, you most likely have heard of click bait. This is a tactic where a simple statement is so intriguing that you just have to click. Pay attention and don’t fall for cheap sales tricks!
All this to say, be on the alert. The enemy just wants to distract you. But don’t let him discourage or alarm you – God’s got this!
Time to Rally
Now is not the time to be overwhelmed and overcome. God has known about these times since the foundations of the world! I know everyone is all down on 2020, but it truly has the opportunity to be an incredibly pivotal year for you! Your perspective will ultimately dictate how your year goes!
Let me plant some seeds, remind you of truths you already know:
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28) Do you see that right there? All things. All things! Not just when there is no political unrest, and not just when we aren’t going through a pandemic, etc. But if you are a child of God, all things at all times in all ways work together for your good!
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” (Ecc 3:1) A season, a limited time, this too shall pass. Sometimes one can get caught up being concerned that things will be like this forever. But courage friend, it’s only for a time. Seasons change!
“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.” (Isa 54:17) No matter what occurs, if we will keep our focus on God we can be sure that He will deliver His people. What others may mean against us, He can use to promote us!
“From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (John 1:16) God gives grace to His people. He hasn’t dropped us in these times and left us to flounder, but rather He has given us grace to be right where we are! That means we don’t have to worry or fear. God’s got this! And He always wins!
Be Vigilant
I pray these verses encourage and inspire you! Have courage and press on – after all, we’re halfway there! May this second half of the year be even better than you can possibly imagine!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Even better than you can imagine – what could that be? Read a bit more about it here: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2016/11/07/i-never-thought-of-that/