KEVIN MATTATALL: Future with hope or without

It’s interesting to hear people talk about the future in light of our current events.

We have no playbook on what’s coming next but it doesn’t seem to stop people from giving us their smart “as if they know” opinion.

In it all, one thing is certain, no one is certain what our world will look like in six months from now. The problem with not knowing is mankind has always been afraid of the unknown. Tell me what is and I’ll calm down but a hidden dark future leaves me in the land of worry and despair.

Our worry stems from our "what if" — What if things never get back to normal? Or God forbid, what if things are worse than before? What if, what if, what if? The truth is too many "what ifs" in an uncertain world and it can drive us all around the bend.

We’ll see those with PVDD or post virus distress disorder. It’s a new term that I just made up but this war is like any war. The final battle is not fought on the battlefield of isolation but how do we soldiers fit back into society?

What will a birthday party look like for our children? What will baseball, basketball or hockey look like? How will graduations, weddings, anniversaries and funerals take place?

Will I need to say, “You may kiss the bride.” Right after you answer these important questions. Do either of you have a fever? Have you been out of the country recently? and Have you both been in self-isolation for at least two weeks?

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

It doesn’t say that we will never have to deal with fear but when we feel its grip like claws on our head or terror in our heart, we need to know this didn’t come from God. The Lord said what He gives us power, love and a sound mind.

When we are gripped by fear we feel powerless, unloved and unstable in our thinking. We are tossed to and fro on the waves of doubt and unbelief as we prepare for the worst.

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

As you listen to our future forecasters there will be two ways of thinking. One will come from the spirit of fear, things are bad and they are going to get worse. Or there will be another still small voice, things are bad but they are going get better.

Here’s a word from Isaiah the prophet. Do you feel he speaks in fear of the future or is he speaking by faith?

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17.

I’m 100 per cent sure that we should follow all present restrictions that are based on protecting us from these present problems. Where we may need to place a mast is over our ears to protect ourselves from those who are under the influence of fear and are proclaiming gloom and doom over tomorrow.

The problem with listening to the voice of fear is it will cause smart people to make not so smart decisions. Yes, consider the war but don’t allow fear to rob, kill and destroy the very fabric of what we consider to be our freedom as believers.

I believe God can do great things that are supernatural. You say according to the facts of fear things will get worse. Have you forgotten to add God to your equation? Have you left out the One ingredient who has the power to change everything?

Take a moment now to consider that God is good and no matter what others think, He is in control and He is looking after us. If you need prayer for any reason, please let me pray for you.

Kevin Mattatall is the pastor of the Cape Breton Christian Fellowship Church.