It seems like the world is full of horrible news these days. I can’t turn on the television, listen to the radio, or read a newspaper without learning something is seriously going wrong. If it isn’t the weather, it’s terrorism, the economy, crime, or politics. At times, it seems like the whole world is just falling down around us. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t hear about some unimaginable act of terrorism, one country threatening another, or riots and protests somewhere. As a nation, we are more politically divided than we have ever been before.
If you are anything like me, you tend to respond to these things in one of two ways. Either you just shut down, choosing to check out, or you get angry about it. Either way, it affects my mood and attitude in such a way as to keep me from being the best witness for Christ I can. Why do I act this way? Could it be that I’m looking at things through the wrong eyes?
When I find myself in that place, it helps me to remember who is in charge. Isaiah 46:9-10 says:
Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”
The last part of that verse, “and I will accomplish all my purpose,” reminds me who is really in charge and whose eyes I should be seeing through. When I get all wound up over things, I’m doing so because I’ve forgotten that the Lord is sovereign and in control. Everything happens in His time and with His foreknowledge. Most importantly, His purposes are being accomplished. There is reassurance in that!
Does that mean I shouldn’t care or have an interest in how things are going? Of course not. I should be involved and contribute to the process as much as I can. But I should never lose sight of God’s sovereignty. The Lord knows exactly what is happening, and His plan will prevail. When I’m mindful of this fact, I find myself in a much better place. My sinful (vengeful) anger is transformed. I, instead, become someone whose spirit is grieved along with the Lord’s Spirit, and I am at peace knowing His will will be done.