Disasters, occurring almost daily, make us dread to turn on the news or read the headlines, sometimes to pick up the phone, but how does Jesus want us to respond? What message does he send for those who hurt? I would love to hear your comments!

 

 

2MefromHim Devotionals

Days of Disaster

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Disaster. A word that has become a daily expectation in newscasts and headlines. It seems the world has spun out of control, not only in the frequency of natural disasters, but in human behavior. Over the past couple of months, our friends and family members have experienced disaster first hand: Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Nate, the Santa Rosa Fire in California, and the Texas Tech shooting of a police officer. It keeps us tuned in to news reports, waiting for messages of safety, and on our knees.

The world’s reaction is to place blame. The response of Christians must be different. Our sacred task is to offer hope, prayers, financial help, and respond to the call to render aid in person.

I’ve watched on the news and Facebook as people request “good thoughts”, “good juju”, hold vigils, and decry the lack of government intervention. What the world pleads for is hope that transcends any trial or disaster and offers food for starving souls. Needs of the body can be met. The human spirit survives amidst the most challenging of situations. What people need is hope of an eternal nature, peace that passes understanding in a world gone mad, leaving them afloat on a sea of uncertainty and fear.

Jesus made no secret of the fact that the world would grow increasingly harsh and evil. Paul experienced disaster. He reminds believers that we know the God of comfort and must share hope with those in need. He recounts how when he despaired of life, the prayer of believers saved him. “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us…” (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

When people blame God and turn their anger on him, believers are to be the voice, hands, and feet of God’s love and goodness. We are the messengers of his promise that those who seek him will find him, and receive rest for their weary souls in the midst of disaster.

How will you share hope today?

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, October 12, 2017

About the author:

Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian novel, Land of My Dreams, won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 41 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with me, I invite you to follow my blog, join me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.