"Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled"

Recently there has been an aching inside me for the country and world in which we live. Just this morning, like too many days recently, our News Sources were flooded with reports of the latest overnight shooting and other acts of violence. It is discouraging and even scary because it seems that violence and malice are running ramped throughout our streets, cities and nations. It's fearful to walk out of the house knowing that violence could occur right where you live or to travel the world rarely feeling completely safe. As a teacher, I worry for our children and their hearts.
It is terrifying for our neighborhoods, schools, and cities and it is fearful for our future. ​

The one thing that strikes me as the most difficult to process throughout all of these events, is the extreme hatred that is coming from brothers and sisters during these moments of violence. 
I personally try my best to stray away from voicing my political stances or opinions on many events that consume our focuses on a day to day basis. It is not my place to add my two cents to all the worlds relevant issues and problems. I'm not naive to believe that our world will be free of turmoil (at least while we're still in it), and I'm also not naive to think that my judging of someones actions will change them.

With that being stated, today I think I will voice some of my personal thoughts. During these recent happenings within our country I have found myself filled with frustration as I am reading comments and articles on social media, focusing not on the acts of hatred that are occurring but instead focusing on whether or not it can be justified and if so who they can blame. You see, our world is so busy trying to change the way others think, or blame someone else, and control conflicts by controlling each other. The sooner we can recognize and accept that as humans we have differences and it is not our place to change or control those, the sooner we can focus our attention on accepting and loving others for those differences rather than judging them for it. 

As children of God there IS something we can and should be doing to support and love on those around us rather than causing more turmoil or strife in our world. It is not our place to gain "individual fame" from our comments or actions. We don't always have to "take a stance," or "voice an opinion" that we know is going to escalate the protests and hatred. 
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Instead of creating heart wrenching news why can't we join together and create heart felt news? 

I read once that it was important for us to study and know history simply so we wouldn't repeat it. The dramas and fears of yesterday don't have to be ours of tomorrow. It does seem that many of our acts of violence are escalating due to historical events or standards that are surfacing again in our societies. Why? Is this really the world that we want for tomorrows kids and grandkids? Why are we turning our focuses on yesterday when we could be creating a better tomorrow?

We have taken God out of every single aspect of our world that we possibly can. He is no longer present in schools, public areas, and particularly in our governmental decisions. Didn't the Israelites do this once already? If we must bring historical events to the surface, can't we learn from that mistake and not repeat IT rather than focusing on these other events that seem to be causing nothing but fear and pain?

Psalms 11 states: "The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face." (ESV)

You see, as our world is being twisted and turned with these events of violence and hatred, the Lord is (and will) keep his promise despite what we choose to do or how we respond! It is not our place to Judge or to make opinions or to take stances on current or past events. Our focus should not be on "individually having a voice" on todays matters because one day we will stand in judgement against the one who does matter! He is keeping his promise. He will show favor upon those who are righteous and good in their decisions and their actions. 

Today, as we face another day of tragedy in our world I challenge you to keep your thoughts and focuses on a much greater being and purpose. Try to refrain from opinionated comments on social media or even when conversing. Our world is already filled with enough strife and words of hatred will only make it worse. Instead of focusing on the "corrupt" of the world focus on making a better tomorrow. Remember that to this world you may be a tiny fragment, small on the surface. But, to our Father in Heaven you are his focus. Try not to be consumed with the world around us. Focus on what he has planned and know that even though we are struck with fear for our nations future, we can be hopeful in knowing he already knows and already has it planned. Nothing is a surprise to him. If we could get everyone to individually focus their minds on Heavenly things rather than worldly things we could certainly turn this world away from grief and sorrow, one act at a time. ​