Why I’m Not Afraid Of What’s Going On

2020 well was, you know kinda terrible. 2021 came and left in a flash with no improvement. 2022 (2020 too) seems to be off to a rough start, of course. How are we supposed to stay positive in times like these?
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Well, the short answer is Jesus. The long answer is also Jesus.

Time and time again, the Bible instructs us to not be of this world. What does it mean by that you may ask? Well, the answer is more complicated that you might think. Yes, of course, it means to not get too wrapped up in sin and the pleasures of this world. But it also means we need to change our perspective of this world and our lives in it.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17

What we need to do is focus on the big and I mean BIG picture. If you think about the totality of your life, I truly hope you aren’t focusing solely on your time on Earth. This is just a blink of an eye, a brief moment in time in the eternity of your life. If you can somehow wrap your head around eternity, that will help you understand that this pandemic is temporary and your life is so much grander and longer than what you we are dealing with right now.

I truly believe that one day I will look back on these days as just a fleeting memory of time. A “remember that one time when we had to live through the turmoil of our worldly lives and we thought it was sooo important” kind of thing. I plan to one day sit at the feet of Jesus praising Him for getting me through this tough time of my live and understanding that there was a purpose. A purpose to this stress, a purpose to this pain and purpose to this pandemic. But we already know the purpose don’t we? At least we can come up with some theories if we try hard enough.

This is a time to get closer to Christ. This is a time to trust Him with our lives. This is a time to reflect back on our worldly lives thus far and change our perspectives moving forward. This is a time to focus on eternity and not this temporary life on this floating rock.

So, whatever you are dealing with today.... COVID, work, school, family problems, stress, anxiety etc., keep this perspective in mind. When you focus on eternity and your part in it, these things will seem more manageable. I remember reading a book in college called "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff". Well my friend, compared to eternity, all of these things are the "small stuff". 
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That is why I am not afraid of what’s going on. Because I know there is a bigger story at play and I trust the author with the ending.