Just when it seems that things might start to get better, another catastrophe strikes. How should we react to all these events? Will things keep getting worse? Don’t Be Surprised First of all, we shouldn’t be surprised when natural disasters occur, or when the evil contained in human hearts pours out in violence, hate, and suffering of all kinds. In fact, much of what we see in the world today was predicted long ago. Two thousand years ago, Jesus said: Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places … then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another… because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matthew 24:6-12 Don’t Be Uninformed In the Bible, God has provided astounding details about future events. Many of these prophecies were fulfilled when Jesus was born (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2), laid down His life as a sacrifice for our sins (Isaiah 53:3-6), and rose triumphantly from the dead (Psalm 16:10). Other prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. Some of these passages describe the “last days” when God’s judgments will fall upon the earth, dooming those who have rejected God’s grace: When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel … who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 Don’t Be Unprepared We have been warned ahead of time because God wants us to be prepared. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Through Jesus Christ, God has provided the only way by which hell- deserving sinners like us can have our sins washed away. The Bible tells us that Jesus conquered sin and death when He paid the price for “our sins in His own body on the tree” and “rose again the third day” (1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:4). In order to be ready to face God, you must realize that your best is not good enough: “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Turn to God, and simply trust what Jesus has done for you. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Don’t Be Troubled Trusting Jesus does not mean that trouble will never come our way. But no matter what we go through, His promise is true: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). When we ask God to take the weight of our burden, we discover that “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). So when wave after wave of frightening events scroll across our screens and spill into our lives, we don’t need to fear. We can confidently trust the One who holds the future in His hands to be with us in every present trial. As believers, we can also look forward to the never-ending day when every tear will be wiped away and we will spend a joyous eternity in His presence. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
