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I’m not comfortable with it and I am easily plagued by anxiety when things don’t go the way I expect them to. During seasons of change I oftentimes find myself at the crossroads of Hope and Despair.
Another change has been the health of my father. He was the first man who owned my heart. He’s always been very strong and capable. Over the past few years his health has declined and it hurts my heart to see him struggle for each breath and have no energy. What hurts most is how his poor health has assaulted his manhood. The physical limitations he faces cause him to feel useless, and I am unable to fix that for him.
Aside from these personal changes, the social climate shift happening in our country causes me to grasp for an anchor of hope during this season of change.
Personal Convictions
Recently my sweet, comfortable bubble has burst. Bad things happen to good people. Good things happen to bad people. People who break the law get road ways named after them, while a hard working person exercising their right to deny services that conflict with their personal belief, is put out of business because of court mandated fines and penalties.
Respect
Gender Distinction

“But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation.” (Mark 10:6, NLT).

Safety
There are movements proclaiming “Black Lives Matter” or “Police Lives Matter”. It insinuates that life outside that chosen group doesn’t matter. Can’t I believe that ALL lives matter and no one should be murdered?
““You must not murder.” (Deuteronomy 5:17, NLT).
All Lives Matter

“Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.”. (Galatians 1:4, NLT).
Good Considered Evil/ Evil Considered Good

The values and behavior that have always been considered right and good are being rejected and considered bad. Behavior and actions that have been considered unacceptable and evil in the past are now enthusiastically embraced as good. This behavior and social shift reminds me of a verse:
“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil,that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.“. (Isaiah 5:20, NLT).
Anchoring To Hope Instead of Sinking into Despair
As I watch evil being embraced as good and good being rejected as evil, those hounds of anxiety threaten to rip me apart…but I am comforted by truths that will stand no matter how much society changes.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.“. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT).
Ecclesiastes 3 explains that there is a season and a time for everything. The beautiful part is each season has its counterpart. A time to be born leads to a time to die. A time to sow leads to a time to reap. A time of war changes into a time for peace. This model of balance presented in scripture comforts me. While I can’t endorse or understand the changes I see, I know it is a season. I know this season of wickedness prevailing will end. I know that God has victory over all wickedness and shares that victory with his children. He is the hero of this story!
Things That Will Never Change
Change is an unavoidable part of life. Neighbors move, parents die, society as we know it falls apart. It can be unnerving to a person who isn’t comfortable with change. Fortunately there are things that will never change that keep us grounded as the world as we know it seems to disappear.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.“. (Hebrews 13:8, NLT).
“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?“.(Numbers 23:19, NLT).
“People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.“. (1 Peter 1:24-25, NLT).
The certainty of my Salvation in Jesus Christ will never change.
“21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.”. (1 Peter 1:21-23, NLT).
- He doesn’t change
- He doesn’t lie
- He fulfills all His promises
- His word doesn’t change
- I have put my trust in Him and my salvation is secured (this can only happen if you have trusted Jesus as your savior and asked Him to be your Lord. For more information on this, please click “How can I be saved?”
…these truths are all I need to keep anxiety and fear at bay.
The world around me may change, but the things that truly matter will stand forever…and with that I can walk in peace as I practice anchoring to hope during seasons of change.
If you have read this and are interested in knowing more about anchoring to the hope that comes from Jesus through salvation, click “How can I be saved”.
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