He hit on it this morning. Sometimes living in this world is just no fun at all. It can be discouraging as I watch things I had hope would change don’t.  Things I had hoped would make a different fail. Times of challenge become times of fear. Every move to improve, to change direction winds up being futile. Tripp summed it up well: “People die, dreams die, flowers die, and marriages, churches, jobs, and friendships go bad.” Very honestly, things look bleak. The world certainly isn’t getting better, more peaceful, or smoother running. The current political landscape (the ads especially) reminds me the world is a dirty place to live in.

It is easy to be discouraged with feelings of failure, futility, and fear ever present. But has said, “Do not fear!” Jesus told His disciples there is nothing to fear because “I have overcome the world.” He could, with a snap of a finger, bring the world into submission (it would be like slavery though). But He doesn’t operate like that. He operates by grace. And it is His grace which reminds me I don’t have to be discouraged; give in to futility, fear or failure. He will ultimately win and His grace will be the reason and the conquering hero.

“Father, thank you for the reassurance of your victory. As Luke 12 tells me I have nothing to be anxious about. Thanks that your grace is the ultimate hero, the one thing the enemy cannot and will not conquer.”