God Is Bigger
By Lilly Evans
This year has been challenging for all of us. There have been new hurdles for us around every corner and it's easy to become discouraged or even face times of depression. Because of all these challenges I believe more than ever that we need to be reminded that our God is BIGGER! He is bigger than our most debilitating fear, financial hardships, and even death itself.
First, we will look at how God is much bigger than our fears. This year we may have developed fears that we have never struggled with before. We need to overcome our fear and realize that if we are faithful, God is there for us. To overcome fear we need to trust in God! Ps. 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” He made us, cares for us, and he can diffentley take care of us. If we trust God and realize he is bigger than our fears then we can face them with a whole different view.
Second, we will look at how God is bigger than our financial hardships. Many over this year have had financial hardships. They may have lost their job, house, or are having trouble feeding their family. These are very real struggles but God is bigger and he promises that if we will trust in him and put him first in all things he will provide what we need. Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” As we face these financial challenges we can also be comforted knowing that this is all temporary and that as Christians we look toward something better. 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Matthew 6:19-20, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Financial hardships may not go away in this life but if we keep living faithfully we will have something greater.
Not only is God bigger than our fears and financial hardships, but He is also bigger than death. Death seems to be one of the greatest fears mankind struggles with. We don’t want to die, we want to cling to life. But if we are a faithful Christian death isn't something to worry about because we know what is waiting on the other side. Rev. 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Just from this verse Heaven sounds amazing! Jesus has defeated death for us. I Cor. 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” There are two destinations after physical death, Heaven or Hell. Hell is also called the second death (Rev. 20:14; 21:8). Hell is not a place any person should want to go to. These two places are for eternity. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) “...hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:” (Mark 9:45) We need to make sure we're on the right path because God is much bigger than death. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:4)
We can get through hardships in this life if we cling to God and live for him daily because he is much bigger than our fears, financial struggles, and even death.