I'll be honest. I am scared.

I'll be honest. I usually am when writing, but I feel the need to make this clear at the start of this blog post for reasons that will become apparent later on.

I am scared.

There. I said it. Even with every Afrikaner male fibre of pride and "quiet strength" in my psyche screaming not to admit it, I said it. I made myself vulnerable. And I'm admitting my fear because there may be someone else also feeling scared right now. Maybe you will find solace in what I have to say.

Brexit. Global warming and climate change. Anti-vaxxers and the resurgence of various diseases that should have been dealt with long ago. Religious division (yes, even division and disunity within certain denominations of Christian churches, let alone different denominations and, dare I say it, different religions). Knife crime. Mass shootings. Corruption. War and violent conflict. Strikes. Poor leadership. Economic inequality. Gender inequality. Social injustice. Poverty. Hunger. And the list goes on and on and on as I scroll down the news headlines. It's a scary time in a scary world we live in and the overwhelming amount of information readily available at our fingertips only helps to inundate us with the world's struggles on top of our own, specific needs and worries.

I wish I had answers to all of the world's problems. Heck, I wish I had answers to all my own problems. I don't. But I know the One who does. I know the One who turns utter hopelessness into overwhelming victory. I know the One who defies the odds over and over and over again. I know the One who delights in taking our failures and fears, and turning them into favour and fortitude. I know the One who takes our brokenness and turns it into blessing. I know the One who does what can't be done to show the world that He loves us. For the glory of His name.

So, yes, I am honestly scared when I read the news. And I am just as honestly comforted when I remember that God will never leave or forsake us; that these worries will pass, but that our God will always be the same loving, caring, providing, just, righteous, welcoming, accepting, steadfast ruler of the world He has always been. I can honestly join with the Sons of Korah as they sing:

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in our trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." 
(Psalm 46:1-3... the rest of this psalm is great, so read that too)

And, as Paul very helpfully reminded me in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 this morning, I would be remiss if I kept this comforting knowledge and experience to myself. May you know God's comforting presence in the midst of whatever troubles you right now. May His glory and power overcome every fear and anxious thought. May you know Him as the One who turns the impossible into the unquestionable. And may this knowledge lead you to carry your worries to Him again and again and again.

Selah.