An Arkie’s Faith After the storm

I must admit that I have my concerns. Fear and worry seem to dominate many people’s thoughts.

In the past few years, I have noticed that the people I have talked to who have been the most worried are Christians. Many of my Christian friends are sure that doom and gloom are right around the corner. I can’t believe that God wants us to live that way. In 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (VOICE), Paul wrote, “And now, dear friends, may the Lord of peace Himself grace you with peace always and in everything. May the Lord be present with all of you.”

I do believe that we are living in the last chapter of Earth’s history, but I am puzzled by many of my fellow Christians. Does God want us to worry? In Matthew 6:31 (AMPC), the Bible tells us, “Do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?”

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33,34 (NKJV) and began loading the glass onto my pickup, the first light of dawn was pushing the darkness away. The rain has subsided to a light drizzle, and everything smells very clean and fresh. There is a peculiar scent to it that I can’t really describe. My attitude has changed from one of fear and apprehension to one of gratitude and wonder.

With my truck loaded with glass, I pulled back out on Highway 71 and headed back to Mena. The early morning light is turning everything golden, and I am energized by the start of another beautiful day. Steam rises slowly from the grass meadows and the ponds. It rises eerily and drifts mistlike towards the heavens. Through the trees, I can occasionally catch a glimpse of the fiery reds, oranges, and yellows of the sunrise as I look to the east.

I keep hoping to get a better look at the sunrise because the colors that I can see streaming through the trees are spectacular. As I round a corner, I am greeted by a view that takes my breath away. I pulled my pickup to the side of the road and got out to soak in the glorious beauty of the sunrise.

Brilliant golds and oranges light up the clouds that not long ago were drenching the landscape with torrential rains. The greatest artist in the universe had created a beautiful canvas for me to see. I pulled out my phone and snapped a couple of photos. The image was so vivid that it stayed with me all the way home.

As I drove away from the magnificent scene, I thought about how my attitude had changed in the hour from the time I had previously driven past this location. I had gone from being worried about the weather conditions and getting soaked to basking in the glory of the Creator and his creation.

It seems like a day doesn’t go by that someone doesn’t talk to me about the condition of the world. With the recent world events, people seem very nervous.

Joke of the Week:

I saw something the other day that puzzled me. I was in a Christian bookstore and saw they had Christian worry stones for sale. According to tradition, a worry stone is a smooth, polished stone that, when rubbed, is believed to reduce one’s worries and add a sense of calmness. When the stone is rubbed, the negative energy and worries are supposedly transferred into the stone, and you are left calm and peaceful. I don’t think worry stones are what Christians need to reduce their worries.

Gentle Reader, In Isaiah 41:9,10 (NLT), God tells us, “I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Whatever storm you may be going through today, God has promised to be with you and promises you a glorious sunrise when the storm is over.

I went to the grocery store today to buy some bananas, grapes, and apples, but they didn’t have any. “Well, that was a fruitless trip,” I thought.