The Sermon on the Mount
06/21/08 07:56 Filed in: Encouragement
Yes, times are tough. But, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said not to worry. He said much the same thing on at least four other occasions: “Do not be afraid.” At the Last Supper, when He knew what fate awaited Him, He told his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
“Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12: 1-7)
Wall Street bail out, bank failures, corporate bankruptcies and the outsourcing of tens of thousands of jobs: we’ve had more than our share of tribulations of late. Watching the evening news or reading the morning paper could easily lead to a deep blue funk. What had been hidden in the darkest recesses of corporate America has been revealed in the white hot lights of paparazzi. What had been whispered in the capitol’s corridors of power now reverberates though out the land. Our homes, our livelihoods and our retirement plans have been put at risk by schemers and scammers. Yet, Jesus tells us to fear not.
We need look no further than Christ for an example of how to act in adversity. At the very time when He exhorted His followers to take heart, He knew they would soon betray Him. Yet, He never gave into fear. He was courageous.
Yes, tribulations and suffering are part of the human condition, but we can decide how we will think and feel in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations.
Notice that Jesus said we are to “take” courage. It’s a conscious choice on our part. We can choose to stand strong in our faith. We can decide how we will think about our problems. We can grow from them. Our prayers may not change the circumstances but they always change us.
Wall Street bail out, bank failures, corporate bankruptcies and the outsourcing of tens of thousands of jobs: we’ve had more than our share of tribulations of late. Watching the evening news or reading the morning paper could easily lead to a deep blue funk. What had been hidden in the darkest recesses of corporate America has been revealed in the white hot lights of paparazzi. What had been whispered in the capitol’s corridors of power now reverberates though out the land. Our homes, our livelihoods and our retirement plans have been put at risk by schemers and scammers. Yet, Jesus tells us to fear not.
We need look no further than Christ for an example of how to act in adversity. At the very time when He exhorted His followers to take heart, He knew they would soon betray Him. Yet, He never gave into fear. He was courageous.
Yes, tribulations and suffering are part of the human condition, but we can decide how we will think and feel in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations.
Notice that Jesus said we are to “take” courage. It’s a conscious choice on our part. We can choose to stand strong in our faith. We can decide how we will think about our problems. We can grow from them. Our prayers may not change the circumstances but they always change us.
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