Overwhelmed by the World
There’s a lot going on in the world today. I know it’s becoming a growing topic discussion at my own church. As Christians, we are taking notice of the seeming increase in wars and disasters in this world.
Earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, growing unrest and war in the Mideast, tornadoes in places normally not plagued by such occurrences or an increase in such…the list goes on and on.
I know for me it’s downright overwhelming. I don’t want to watch the news because I find myself over-sympathizing with those suffering or angry with the ones causing innocent people so much pain and suffering.
We can easily look at the world and wonder why and how we can make a difference. I know I used to and at times I would be terribly discouraged and confused as to what I could possibly do to have any impact.
Then I realized that’s exactly what the enemy loves to do—discourage us to the point that we’re ineffective. That’s his last resort for those of us who can no longer be touched by the threat of hell—to make us ineffective and unable to touch the lives of others. It’s the only way he has left to “win.”
In that reality and understanding, God helped me to understand something else. He’s not calling us to save the entire world. He’s not even calling us to save another human being. He’s already done that. He’s the one in charge of the big picture and it’s completely His burden to carry.
Our first and greatest calling is to love Jesus. Our second is to love others in the same way as we desire to be loved—love like Christ loves us through Him. God doesn’t say the whole world at once, He says others, one at a time.
When we are overwhelmed by the troubles and evil in this world, feeling like we can make no difference, step back and refocus your eyes from seeing the proverbial forest as a whole and pinpoint that one tree God is calling you to care for in that moment.
That is how we can truly make a difference in this world by making a difference in the lives of others. Even if we are only given a handful of people in our lifetime to share the love of Jesus, to minister to their broken hearts, or to help them rediscover their hope in God, then we have done all we’ve been called to do.
Our greatest impact in this world is when we walk in obedience to God and join Him in his plan. Then we can leave the big picture to Him, trusting that He is using us to be part of His greater plan to save the world.
Praying and believing,
Dineen
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Beautiful and wise words. Thank you, Dineen. I too have been feeling overwhelmed with all the pain and sorrow and the darkness that just seems to intensify by the day. These truly are difficult days, but the power of Christ in us as we show His love to the world is greater. The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it!
Thanks, Dineen, I needed that. I, too, can feel overwhelmed by the needs around me. God calls me to cast my burdens on Him. They are not the slightest heavy for Him, while they weigh me down. I am in total agreement, also, with your assessment that satan’s last ditch efforts are to make Christians ineffective. May we go back to the basics, return to our first love, revive the disciplines that produce growth–such as reading the Bible, praying, fasting, confessing sin, etc.–and keep our eyes on Him. Again, thanks for an insightful post.
Blessings,
Wendy
Amen, Silvana! That’s such a comfort, isn’t it? Thank you, Jesus, for being our light!
I agree, Wendy! We need those spiritual disciplines in our lives to stay strong. Thank you, my friend!
Dineen thank you for sharing your thoughts today very uplifting and encouraging. I use to watch the news all the time and now I try to stay away from it. The Media has a tendency to go over and over things all day and all night. The Lord does not want us to be blind sided by what is going on, but like you said reaching out to those around us will not make us feel like there is nothing that we can do. Donating through a good Christian organization for those in Japan is another way to reach out and help, and also prayer. Praying and believing with you. Blessings.
Thanks Dineen! Today’s media hits us from all sides 24/7 it seems….it is hard to escape. I too can’t watch the news daily, it is just like a weight on my soul. It is good to remember that as believers we walk by faith not by sight. With TV and the Internet we SEE so much, but God is in control. If we listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and do our part, He will do what we cannot do.
So true, Tonya! We can definitely find intentional ways to help, even from afar.
Amen, Michele! Oh, amen…
Our greatest impact in this world is when we walk in obedience to God and join Him in his plan. Then we can leave the big picture to Him, trusting that He is using us to be part of His greater plan to save the world.
Amen my friend. Trusting Him.
You are right Dineen; we can make a difference to others by just show them His love. May I have my eyes wide open to see the people God is putting in my path to make a difference.
Thanks, Dineen. Once again you have spoken into my heart. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of need that I am blinded to the need of the one person God has put in my path. Right now I am praying about two very different ministries that have reached out to me. In the meantime, show me today, Lord, where I am to serve!