It’s a somber, scary time right now. After the ISIS attacks in Paris and no end in sight on that front, then political fighting, along with other tragic events raging around us… It’s hard to think about what there is to be thankful for.
Sure, there’s family. There are jobs, friends, and other good things. But those big, heavy moments can still weigh on us.
Fortunately, there’s more to those situations than what we see. And I believe we can be thankful even under the oppression of these negative news stories. Here are three things I think we can be thankful for—even in this crazy season we’re living in.
God Will Set All Things Right
Justice seems elusive at times—guilty getting slaughtered, evil men prevailing, and God seems silent all the while.
But we’re promised that God will ultimately make all things right. We’re living in only one side of the story right now. The hero will return and set things in order. It might not seem like it right now, but we can be sure this is true.
A good author brings complete resolution to the story he tells. And God is a great author.
We Carry the Light of the World Inside Us
When looking for a beacon of hope, we need to remember that we are those beacons. Jesus told us that we are the light of the world. The world will find hope through us, through the spirit of God that lives within us.
When you don’t see the light in the world, perhaps it’s because you’re that light and you need to shine. God has given us this wonderful responsibility, and we should be grateful for the opportunity.
This is Not Our Home
News stories of the potential of ISIS attacking us where live can be frightening. Where’s the security when not even home is safe? (Not forgetting the fact that there are those whose homes are in the middle of the bulk of the fighting.)
Regardless, earth is not our home. We are travelers, heading toward our home in eternity. In fact, not feeling safe is part of the job description of a traveler. There’s no real safety when you have no permanent residence.
But we can be sure, when God comes back to make all things right, that we will find our eternal home and the safety it provides. Earth is not the end of the story. It’s only the beginning.
So take heart this holiday season. See the hope, even in the darkness that seems to surround us. There are great things to be thankful of. And we get to be part of those good things.