I was born in 1946. That is the beginning year of the Baby Boomer era. It means I was born shortly after WWII. Images of war and the Holocaust dominated my early years. Despite that, I never thought I would see a World War III. Now I am not as sure.
Putin’s war against Ukraine (with threats of action against anyone who actively aids Ukraine) beside what is now being labeled an “economic war” have added up to a legitimate threat of a new global conflict. It would not be hyperbole to say that most things are now out of our control.
That leads to a question, “So what is in our control?” The answer, “Our attitudes.”
God directs a list of commands regarding our attitudes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” [HCSB]
While maintaining these attitudes consistently is challenging, it is not impossible. God, through the power of His Spirit within us will empower us to do so. These attitudes enable us to hold on to God in the midst of difficult and uncertain times. They keep us from being discouraged and self-involved.
When we rejoice, pray, and give thanks always, we participate actively in God’s will for us. And being in the center of God’s will is realizing an awesome security that cannot be found in this world.
So will we have a WWIII? Maybe. Maybe not. Will we sink under the weight of economic disaster? Maybe. Maybe not.
Will we find awesome security in God if we obey His commands to “Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything?” That’s a resounding and eternal YES!
