Joyful in All Tribulation

Are you scared of the global financial crisis? Are you threatened by the earth's destruction brought by global calamities? Are you afraid of going to the mall because of indiscriminate bombing of the terrorists? Does cancer terrify you to face death?

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing the news on the world's economy that is in danger. It's just alright to think of alternatives as preparation to counter the problem but to be frightened w/ it is another story. If this is a man-made problem, we have to find where did it root to devise a solution. If it rooted from selfishness of concerned individuals, then there could be no choice but to wait & pray that they may be enlightened through the intervention of the church & the state, reformists, political activists as God's instruments or we can even join the rallies for a good cause. What can we do as citizens is to be prepared through alternate means by economizing the use of our electricity, minimizing mobility expenses through walking a not so distant destination, planting of vegetables in the backyard, recycling of water used on laundry for flushing instead of wasting it literally. This, we can contribute something to minimize the crisis.

Terrorism threatens us in our favorite places where we unwind. But what can we do? If we could not enter the mall anymore, what will happen to these working individuals who expect sale from us? They survive not because of the terrorists but because of us who patronize the establishment. Sometimes we have to sacrifice & gamble our lives for the benefit of a number. I’m not saying to literally kiss the gun but to be extra suspicious for the safety while inside the mall. Everything has an end. These brothers of ours who have been deceived by their anger shall be awakened one day soon because they have also their own families like us. All are destined to love.

Whatever it is, whether economic, health or personal crisis, we should not be afraid of anything that threatens our world. We can be joyful amidst all the tribulation if we remain loyal to the mission that God has entrusted on us; the mission to love our families, to be concerned about the benefits of others, to be productive in our commitment, to live w/ an unclouded heart. Tribulation is there not as something that could frighten us but as something that could warn us against infidelity & teach us to grow more in our perspective towards life. We must be joyful because no crisis, no violence, no sickness, no death could separate our faith towards God. Because we believe that God created us not to be left behind but to go beyond everything. If our biological parents who are imperfect could protect & love us all throughout our lives, how much more the perfect God who treasures us more than our parents could. Living a life w/ God is leaving all fears behind because life w/ God is life of hope.

Romans 8:35-39 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: For your sake we are being slain all the day. We are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things , nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been, justified by faith, we have peace w/ God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in w/c we stand, & we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that afflictions produces endurance, & endurance, proven character, proven character, hope, & hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.