I needed to write a word to you because of what we’re seeing and experiencing in our nation right now. Believers are losing faith. They’re fearful, anxious, worried, and filled with despair. You may be shaking your head like the rest of us. In fact, you may be having a hard time holding it all together because all you see is brokenness and unrest.

It seems our country is about ready to come unglued and our foundations buried. The freedoms we have always enjoyed seem to be drifting away. Not to mention the corruption, evil and wickedness that have taken center stage. We look out and wonder what’s going to happen. We feel hopeless in our crumbling world.

I felt God wanted me to encourage you to hold on. GREAT things are on the horizon. Power is going to be displayed like never before. But right now, we need a word from God. So, let me offer you five things that can help us to hold it all together when everything is falling apart.

1. Get your eyes in the right place!

The news comes to us in all different ways: radio, television, internet, phone apps, and social media. And it’s easy to get consumed by the news, especially now that we’re waiting for election results. I know I don’t have to tell you that most of it is not good news. So, when we fix our eyes on the news (or the world), we can easily lose hope, get disillusioned, seep into depression, or physically get sick. The world is a dark place, and will devour us quickly if we’re not careful.

I’m reminded of the story of Peter and Jesus in Matthew 14:22-33. The disciples were in awe that Peter would get out of the boat in a storm. But then to walk on water? Supernatural! Amazing! And for Peter, it must have felt pretty awesome. Jesus told him to come and, without hesitation, he came. His eyes were steadfast, fixed on Jesus who was before him. But then in a split second, he got scared. He took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the roaring sea… with waves taller than him and a fierce wind. He began to sink! Consumed by fear! Tormented by dread!

Jesus saved him that night with a helping hand and a lesson. When our eyes are on Jesus, we can have a peace in the midst of the storm. A good lesson for us right now in the day we’re living in.

2. Trust in what you know!

God gave us His authoritative and inspired Word. It is our guide for daily living. Every story, every passage, every word is TRUE. And in the Bible, God tells us what we need to know. Here are some things:

• God is on the throne!
  Isaiah 6:1: “I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne…”
• God hears the prayers of His people!
  1 Peter 3:12: “The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.”
• God doesn’t make mistakes!
  Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.”
• God isn’t surprised at anything!
  Isaiah 14:24: “It will happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided.”
• God has NEVER surrendered His authority, and NEVER will!
  Romans 13:1: “All authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

Friends, we are without excuse because the Bible tells us these things. So, we must put our complete trust in them.

3. Take a break!

If you need to, walk away from social media for awhile, turn off the tv, and turn your phone to silent (only answering calls). Choose to listen to God, rather than all the other voices invading our lives these days. Unplug from the tech world for a bit.

David says it so perfectly: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength” (Psalm 23:1-2). David didn’t know technology, but he did know the pressures of the world and great demands. So, when he needed peace and rest, he walked right beside the ONLY One who could give it to Him – His Shepherd.

Let me encourage you to take a break and walk with Jesus right now.

4. Use the divine weapons!

Here’s a reminder we need to keep before us: “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Hence, this is not our battle; it’s God’s.

But, since this is a spiritual war we’re fighting, we cannot win using human weapons. Paul tells us that “we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Using words, power, influence, or specific tactics WILL NOT give us the upper hand. ONLY DIVINE WEAPONS will. So, what are they? Well, here’s the three best ones…

• Prayer
• The Word of God
• The Name of Jesus

Fight on your knees (I had a knee replacement and cannot get on my knees, so this is a term rather than an actual visual). Of course, if you can get on your knees, that’s perfect. Hit Satan between his eyes with the Word of God because he cowers at God’s Word. And speak the name of Jesus out loud… speak His name over the evil and corruption invading our world, over the strongholds keeping your loved ones bound up, and over the unsaved. Here’s a good prayer…

In Jesus Name, I declare that truth will prevail, light will pierce through the darkness, corruption will be exposed, and idols will be smashed. In Jesus Name, I ask for eyes to be opened, ears to hear, hearts to be renewed, and the gospel to quicken the hearts of my loved ones. (Of course, you can be more specific with names and such). And speak Jesus’ Name out loud.

I’m guessing that the Holy Spirit is putting in me a message that needs to go out (with further instruction). I think this will be my next LIVE teaching, so stay tuned.

5. Cultivate a healthy lifestyle!

I just got a phone call this morning from my sister telling me that a family friend (who is my age) had a heart attack yesterday. She is going to be okay, but it reminded me that stress, the burdens we carry, the chains we are bound up with, and the horrible things we choose to let in can have devastating affects on us. It’s important we choose to cultivate a healthy lifestyle. We need to stay healthy in all areas: physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Balance is key. Choose a good outlet. Here are some good outlets: the throne of God (the most important), Christian friendships, Bible studies, prayer groups, church small groups, and even online communities. There are health online communities, as well as others that can be beneficial to a healthy lifestyle.

So, let’s choose to rise above all that’s going on and not fall apart. God really is in control.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please pass it on.

Blessings,