Terrible things and even more horrific things happen to people all the time. We are bombarded with the bad news on a continual basis.
The threat of all the bad news and terrible things that we hear about happening to the average person, makes us begin to believe that we are next. Because we begin to believe that we are next and that something ugly could happen to us we will restrain, and reduce our activities. We become more and more careful.
As Christians we are called
to go (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8),
to be ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20),
to reflect the light of our Lord into the darkness around us (Matthew 5:14-16), and
to be vocal and active enough to restrain evil by preserving the good that is present in this world (Matthew 5:13).
So, it is very important not to be deterred by
the activity of our enemy,
the corruptness of this world, and
the weakness of our flesh.
The nourishment of our spiritual lives is a vital necessity to overcome the bad things happening all around. Maintaining continual contact with and input from our Lord is vital. Only through His power can we persist in living as we should.
The apostle Paul describes how the Lord empowered him to live by saying, ".for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13)."
Paul is thought to have been in prison in Rome as he wrote those words. Prior to that time Paul had experienced all kinds of terrible things. Paul had been beaten, stoned (left for dead), put into stocks, jailed, shipwrecked, and bitten by a snake.
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern (Philippians 3:17).
Philippians 4:13.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. -