Like many folks all around the world, I feel the emotional and spiritual struggle that people face in wartime. It’s sometimes difficult to “go about our business” when we see and hear actual battle scenes in “real time.” We can feel so out of control when world events begin to whirl around us. At times like this, I join with others in voicing the reality that God is in control of the Big Picture. I find rest, hope, and comfort in that promise. My faith in that promise is made more secure by looking back and seeing His hand at work in the Big Picture of past history. It is my fervent hope and prayer that you do too.

    However,I do struggle with two problems. I’d like to share those problems as questions, and share my approach in dealing with them

    First, what CAN I do during this conflict?

    I will continue to pray. Prayer has a power beyond all imagining. Second, I can read, meditate, study, and listen to God’s Word every single day. Protests, name-calling, accusations, and desperate emotions rage during times of war. In the midst of all this, let’s study God’s Word, seek His Guidance, and do all we can to display His character and compassion. The New Testament has much to say about the Christian’s opportunities and responsibilities toward government and citizenship. Christians are given many directives for dealing with both our friends AND our enemies. I can share God’s teaching about these topics with those around me, and with God’s help, I can also be a living example of the kind of person in whom God works. Rather than be paralyzed by what is going on in the world, I can act in my immediate sphere of influence to make a difference as a person of God where I live. Even if I cannot make an observable and immediate impact globally, I can make an impact eternally in the lives of people near me.

...I can make an impact eternally in the lives of people near me.

    Second, how can I keep my FOCUS on the tasks I must do each day and not get mesmerized by the constant flow of images, sound bytes, and discussion about what is going on in Iraq?

    I am inspired by verses like 1 Thessalonians 4:11 to “work with my hands” to do what needs to be done. Ephesians 4:28 tells us to work, to do that which is useful, and to do it not only for ourselves, but to “share with others.” Colossians 3:23 inspires me to do whatever I do “as working for the Lord.” Sometimes I just need to have a routine beginning to each day. You can call it a “priming the pump” activity that helps us “get the ball rolling” on my daily responsibilities. Once I’m in motion, I’m ready to get to my “to do” list, first by praying for God’s guidance on what I need to do and then by asking for His help in getting it done. We often forget that we usually act our way into a better way of thinking and feeling than the reverse. So getting busy, doing active things on our prayer-prioritized to do list not only blesses others, it also changes the way we think and feel!

    Reminding myself of the Big Picture, doing what I can each day, and staying focused on my immediate influence and my daily tasks helps keep me on track and gives me comfort. I hope they can blessings for you as well.

 

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©2003, Cary Branscum. Used by permission.

Title: "Keepin' On"
Author: Cary Branscum
Publication Date: April 4, 2003