Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the problem of evil. I watch the news and see atrocities committed against the innocent (Psalm 73:3-16). People in my town, nation, and the world don’t have food to eat or access to good medical care. Natural disasters swallow people alive. Children face cruel words and actions. Wars break out with devastating effects. And then I receive news that a child or a young person I know has died before he or she has really had a chance to live, that families I know are breaking up, and that friends are in deep financial distress.
It’s plain to see that there’s a great deal of darkness and struggle on earth. Even Christians sometimes mistreat one another instead of living out the love of Jesus (John 13:35). And when I hear of leaders who claim to be believers in Christ but who abuse their power and hurt many without much, if any, consequence it’s truly troubling and hard to understand.
It can feel at times as if evil is taking over the world and I’m helpless to do anything about it. So I stop watching the news for a bit and fast from social media. I silence the evil for a time to recover from it. This allows me to reflect upon and pray about what I’ve taken in and on how I might personally overcome evil in me and in the world with good (Romans 12:14,16-17).
During these times of relative silence and prayer—times of reorientation—I return to these truths: God is good! And His light and love overcome the darkness (Psalm 13:1; 1 John 1:5, 4:8). His transforming love can flow through us to others (Romans 12:9-10). He provides what we need to not pay back evil with evil, but to overcome it by doing good (Romans 12:17,21).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 6:22-40
More:
What similarities do you see between Psalm 15:1-5, Romans 12:1-21, and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28?
Next:
What are some tangible ways God is calling you to overcome evil with good in your sphere of influence? How does the goodness of God give you hope today?
Gary Shultz on July 18, 2015 at 7:24 am
Ah, the feeling of life spinning out of control. It is a nasty reality of today’s living. As do you, so I must pull my thoughts and mind away and shift to my Father. To remember His goodness, His promises and care He sends now. What I find difficult, is conversation that can be up lifting, conversation that can show people that we have a different base of hope. To weave conversation toward that hope without sounding religious, which many of us are not permitted to do while on the clock. Would you share your thoughts on that? Thanks
Marlena Graves on July 18, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Gary, that is a good question. In my work in non-profits (I’m now at a church), I did what I am sure you do: draw out the good in others. I tried to love them as best I could and empathize. I remember one time the CFO (more than twice my age) asked me “Why are you so happy all of the time?” I said “You really want to know?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Jesus.” ‘Jesus’ might sound cliche. But it is all I could think of at the moment. I was 23 years old. I often think of it as earning the right to be heard. Many times I was told “There is something different about you.” I think people are drawn to joy and beauty and goodness and the fact we care about them. I often got an ‘in’ when someone commented about my joy or being different and I tried to find some way to communicate the source of my joy without violating workplace rules.
Mike Wittmer on July 18, 2015 at 7:34 am
Amen! Psalm 46:10–God says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” God was here before there was evil, and he and us will still be standing long after all evil is vanquished.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on July 18, 2015 at 11:40 am
Jesus gives us great hope for the world we live in when he says, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33