Christians can rest in promises of God during unsettling times

As traumatic and unsettling as the past year has been for most of us, it is only temporary. This, too, will pass.

While all global residents must endure the temporary times, and while they can produce much discomfort, Christians possess an ability to see from an eternal perspective, keeping their eyes focused on Christ, God’s Word and God’s promises in Scripture.

Believers in Christ have the assurance that God is in control of all earthly matters, and that sometimes we humans cannot fully understand why He allows things to happen.

But Christians also can trust in an all-powerful, all-loving and always-present God, who keeps His word and makes good on His promises.

And Christians can know with assurance that the eternal things of God will never pass away.

Hope in Christ

Scripture assures us of certain promises, and we can rest upon those promises. God’s Word gives us peace and hope in times of turmoil.

Here are some of those promises:

• God will never leave us and will always be present in our lives (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:6). We are never alone or without Him.
• God’s love always surrounds us, and nothing in this world or beyond can separate us from His eternal love (Rom. 8:38–39).
• God maintains control over all world affairs. Nothing happens without His permission. He is all-powerful and omnipotent, and He keeps His promises (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:19–21; Jer. 10:12). And when He allows us trials and burdens in this life, He promises to bring good from them all (Rom. 8:28).
• God promises us so much more than temporary comfort and ease. He promises all who believe in Him the gift of eternal life — a permanent and “forever home” with Him (John 3:16–17; 1 John 5:13–14; John 5:24; John 14:3).
• God gives us promised hope for a grand, everlasting reunion with all those we’ve loved and lost — loving relationships that will be free from pain and will continue for eternity (Rev. 21:4). The late Billy Graham writes: “Heaven is a place of perfect happiness — and one of its greatest joys will be our reunion with those we love.”

Look to eternity

While we must now live in the present commotion, confusion and chaos of coronavirus, we can set our minds and hearts on eternity, giving thanks to God for all things (1 Thess. 5:18). As believers in Jesus Christ, we can focus on and be thankful for the eternal, hope-filled promises God gives us, promises that will last forever, not just for a season.