I never cease to be amazed at how easy it is today to find bad news.  It used to be just TV or newspaper, but in our awesomely tech world it is around every corner.  Literally.  Just go to any social media, news, or even “neutral” site (like shopping pages) and you will see stories about things gone wrong, or in the last case “ads” for stories about things gone wrong.  Unfortunately this is also true in Christian/conservative sites…the focus is on attacks on our country’s morals, values, or conservative views, rather than on good news.  Even if your personal world and life are going well, it can be depressing.

The last two weeks have been that way for us, especially as we have experienced the death of our 45 year old niece by a heart attack.  Things that make sense – not dying young, not experiencing loss after loss – are nowhere to be found.  Instead, we are faced with what we consider the abnormal, the unfair, the tough stuff.  And it’s not just us, not by a long shot.  Which makes it even harder to understand. In the best movies, the good guys win, the bad guys lose, and lives are blessed because of that. In our dreams and sometimes expectations, it’s the same way.  All is well.  No one dies.  The world is a great place to be.

And yet!  Still!  God is on His throne, and no one or no “thing” here on Earth can change that.  California attacking Christian values again, this time over a Bible picture on a bulletin board? “If the world hates you, know that it hated ME before it hated you.” (John 15:18)  Tired of the arguments over guns, safety, terroristic threats? “Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid.  Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.” (Psalm 27:3)  Feel like the bad guys are winning, and the good guys are losing? “A little while and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.” (Psalm 37:10). And my favorite, in our current circumstances, the promise of Heaven and eternity, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain…” (Rev 21:4) Isn’t God amazing??  And there are countless other scenarios and Scriptures that can work together to encourage us.

God is STILL in charge.  Nothing will change that.  As born again believers in the Lord, we are secure in that knowledge, and safe in His arms.  Things that are new, startling, sad, scary, heartbreaking…these are not news to God.  He knew about them long before we did.  He knows about the ones in the future that WE can’t know.   And yet! All that the world has to throw against us will never be enough to snatch us from His hand…including death.  If it all blows up and blows apart tomorrow…..STILL.  If I prosper tomorrow, STILL.  If I suffer tomorrow, STILL.  If the liberal left takes over the country tomorrow, and I am persecuted endlessly for my belief, STILL.  If the bad guys win every single battle between now and the end of time….STILL.  The battles may feel significant, and bad, but the WAR is over, and God won!

So the next time fear creeps in, or sorrow overwhelms you, or depression overcomes you because of whatever you face, just remember:  STILL.  Love, worship and praise the One Who is STILL.  It will make all the difference in your world!