A Moment With Pastor Fred

I saw a recent poll: 51% of Americans are scared; 49% are angry. Now both emotions are not necessarily sinful but can be.  “Watch out the stove is hot!” is a healthy fear but wringing your hands in anxious worry is wrong. Scripture tells us to be angry but not to sin. Unresolved anger will turn into bitterness. Our anger is justified when it is righteous. Far too often mine is self-centered.

Over the coming holidays may we guard our hearts. Yes, we’re experiencing the worse health crisis in our lifetimes. But as God’s children we’re under his loving care. Be sensible, wash your hands, wear a mask, but don’t succumb to fearful worry. And even if I am careful and get COVID Jesus has promised to always be with me. Others are angry. Some feel the election was stolen, others are mad over COVID restrictions. Regardless of our circumstances, God is sovereign. He is in control. Nothing will thwart his plan. I have a decision to make. 

Will I trust him even when I don’t understand? Will I choose to believe his Word over my emotions? “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God for I shall again praise him,” Ps 42:11. David chose to trust God, even admitting his fears, “When I am afraid, I put my, trust in you,” Ps 56:3. Trusting God is a matter of faith. May this Christmas be a time of trusting the Lord for whatever he allows into our lives. We sing, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” He came to deliver us from our anxious fears – to set us free from our sinful anger.  Merry Christmas.