By Ronald Bartanen
What will we be facing in this new year? Will it be a year of good health, or of illness? Will there be a stabilizing economy or a stock-market crash? Will there be an increase of unity as a nation or an increase of chaos, looting, burning and physical violence? As individuals, will we learn to cope with life’s illnesses and failures or will we collapse under the stresses of life? We don’t know all the answers to the situations we must face. As our fears mount up, it becomes more and more difficult to cope.
Even those who are people of faith find it difficult to face personal, national and global problems confidently. We need daily to be reminded of the words of Jesus: “In this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world” (John 1`6:33).
Our ability to cope begins with faith in Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote, “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). Is your trust in Him who died for you, and was raised again? Have you, in faith, repented of sins, confessed faith in Christ, and been baptized? (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16). Are you faithfully following Him? (Revelation 2:1`0) When united to Him who died for us, we are encouraged and strengthened by His Spirit to cope with the problems of life, and to rejoice in the new life He has promised those who follow Him.
What will we be facing in this new year? Will it be a year of good health, or of illness? Will there be a stabilizing economy or a stock-market crash? Will there be an increase of unity as a nation or an increase of chaos, looting, burning and physical violence? As individuals, will we learn to cope with life’s illnesses and failures or will we collapse under the stresses of life? We don’t know all the answers to the situations we must face. As our fears mount up, it becomes more and more difficult to cope.
Even those who are people of faith find it difficult to face personal, national and global problems confidently. We need daily to be reminded of the words of Jesus: “In this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world” (John 1`6:33).
Our ability to cope begins with faith in Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote, “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). Is your trust in Him who died for you, and was raised again? Have you, in faith, repented of sins, confessed faith in Christ, and been baptized? (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16). Are you faithfully following Him? (Revelation 2:1`0) When united to Him who died for us, we are encouraged and strengthened by His Spirit to cope with the problems of life, and to rejoice in the new life He has promised those who follow Him.
- Ronald Bartanen preaches for Arthur Church of Christ, Arthur,
IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website:
http://arthurcoc.com/
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