WE CAN FACE ANYTHING
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28, ESV
Theme: We can straighten up and face anything because we know that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming.
BEAR UP
Needles don’t scare me. I have large veins that are easy to stick. I have donated blood so many times that I can even watch and not flinch. My husband is also an expert blood donator. He has the highly useful “O” type and has donated gallons of blood over the years. I remember when he first began donating, the large gauge needle used to make him a bit nervous. He has small veins, and it was hard to get a good stick. Sometimes, they would have to move the needle around in his arm until blood would begin to flow. Yet over the years, giving blood has become routine and he bears up like a champ.
However, each of our kids face shots and blood draws differently. One is stoic, even watches the needle, never flinches, never cries. One becomes almost verbally hysterical, but sits still when reassured, held, or touched. One hardly notices, is easily distracted to something more pleasant, and is truly convinced that “it doesn’t hurt.” Bearing up looks different for all of us. We all face suffering, challenges, tragedy, and difficulty...and we all cope with them differently.
FACE ANYTHING
One of the things I used to worry about, even dread, was growing up and moving away from my parent’s home. As a child, I couldn’t fathom making it on my own. Then, anything that had to do with intense pain, like childbirth without drugs or with major complications, made me fearful. I still dread my reaction to the loss of a child, a parent, my own mobility, or cognitive abilities. What things are you afraid to face?
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves” (Luke 21:25, ESV). The Bible says this is what we will face before Jesus returns. “Distress of nations” like civil unrest, wars, and corrupt governments concern me. “The roaring of the sea and the waves” -- natural disasters like a tsunami or a sudden squall -- concern me.
While I lived beachfront on the Pacific Ocean, the Boxing Day Tsunami (2004) devastated the shorelines in cities in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. On the coast, we experienced a storm surge, but nothing catastrophic. For weeks, I had nightmares that I’d be caught under a big wave, stranded, unable to cope mentally or physically.
JESUS IS COMING
Fear is a normal reaction to storms, and troubles. Yet as believers, we don’t have to respond in fear. We can listen to Jesus. It is His words that encourage us: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28, ESV). The things that will happen are not easy. They are hard things. But we can straighten up, raise our heads, and face anything because the Holy Spirit is with us now and Jesus is coming soon.
Make It Personal: What long-seated fears do you have? How do you bear up? What are you afraid to face in the future? How does the reality that “Jesus is coming” affect your ability to face anything?
Pray: Mighty God, thank You for providing and protecting. Help me to bear up and face anything...because You are coming. Give me the courage to face anything, even my worst fears. In Jesus’ strong Name. Amen.
Read: Luke 21:25-28; Deuteronomy 31:7-8
Weekly Memory Verse:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. Psalm 23:4, ESV