Overcome Evil with Good

Sweet friends,

I know that your heart is heavy like mine by what happened in Paris this weekend.  It is hard to watch the news without feeling overwhelmed with fear and worry.  

We worry if something like that is about to happen again here at home.

We worry about the future and safety of our children.

We worry about how this evil will ever end?

I’m right there with you, friends. 

Yesterday morning, before the boys woke up, I sat on my couch with my mom’s bible and read scripture.  When my heart is full of unrest, His word brings me peace.  I am reminded that He is STILL God even when things like Paris happen.  I am reminded that there is way more to this life than just living it.  It is about Him.  

The reality is that all of our lives will end someday.  Sorry, not trying to be insensitive, but it is true.  None of us is promised tomorrow.  That does not bring me worry because I know that the end of this earthly life means that I will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus.  Because He is my Savior.  He is THE way, THE truth, and THE life, no one comes to the Father but through HIM.  (John 14:6)

Even though I understand what will happen at the end of my life, it is still hard sometimes to make sense of what happens in my life on earth.  We can make ourselves go crazy trying to make sense of it.  However, the infinite ways of God will never make sense to our finite minds while we are here on earth.

But His word gives us direction..

Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”   Another modern-day translation of that verse says, “Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.“ (The Message)

By doing good.

When I read that, I thought, “What if everyone in the world did an act of goodness in response to the evil acts in Paris?”

The terrorists want to bring fear and evil into our hearts, but when we do good to others in our lives, we are doing the opposite of what they want to accomplish.  I love the thought of that. 

So today, and everyday, I am going to ask God to show me how to share His love with others, how can I serve them, how can I do good toward them?  It may be as simple as sending a card to someone who is going through a hard time.  It may be to take someone a meal, or maybe help someone less fortunate with Christmas or their electric bill.  Maybe it is simply attending church and worshipping with other believers.  So much good can come out of worshipping with others.  Spend time in God’s word.  Pray with your family.  Overcome evil with good.

Will you join me this week in doing acts of goodness and love to those around you?  We may not be able to directly help the hurting in Paris, but there are many hurting people all around us at school, at work, in our neighborhood.  Let’s overcome evil by doing good to them.  Let goodness win!

I am praying for the people of Paris, and for everyone reading this post today.  May your hearts be touched by the Love of God and may you feel and know the peace that only He can give. 

God bless you, friends!