Hey sweet friends,
I’ve been sitting here this morning with my coffee getting cold, trying to find the right words after hearing about another senseless, brutal act of violence that’s left our hearts heavy. You know that feeling when tragedy strikes and it feels like the whole world just tilted sideways? That’s where I am today, and maybe where you are too.
It’s moments like these when I’m reminded of something Charlie said: “This world is broken, but our God is not.” He had a way of cutting through all the noise and getting right to the heart of things, didn’t he?
When evil rears its ugly head – whether it’s violence in our communities, hatred dividing families, or just the everyday cruelty we see splashed across our news feeds – it can feel overwhelming. Sometimes I catch myself wanting to just turn it all off, pull the covers over my head, and pretend none of it exists. But that’s not what we’re called to do, is it?
The Reality of a Fallen World
Scripture doesn’t sugarcoat the reality we’re living in. Jesus himself told us, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). He didn’t say “you might have trouble” or “some of you will face difficulty.” He said we will have trouble. And friends, that’s exactly what we’re seeing play out around us every single day.
But here’s what I love about our Savior – He didn’t leave us hanging with just that difficult truth. He immediately followed it with these powerful words: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
When I read about another tragedy, when I see families torn apart by loss, when evil seems to be winning – I have to remind myself of this promise. Jesus has already won. The battle is over, even when the cleanup feels endless.
Where Do We Look When Darkness Falls?
I think about Peter walking on water toward Jesus. Everything was fine until he took his eyes off Christ and started looking at the waves. The moment his focus shifted to the storm around him, he began to sink.
Isn’t that exactly what happens to us? When we fixate on all the evil swirling around us – the violence, the division, the hatred – we start to sink under the weight of it all. But when we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can walk through the storm.
This doesn’t mean we stick our heads in the sand or pretend everything is wonderful when it clearly isn’t. It means we choose where to anchor our hope. We acknowledge the storm, but we don’t let it become our focus.
What Does It Look Like to Keep Our Eyes on Jesus?
For me, it starts in the morning before I even check my phone. I’m trying to get better at spending those first few minutes with the Lord, reminding myself who He is before the world starts telling me what to fear.
It looks like choosing gratitude even when everything feels dark. Not toxic positivity that ignores real pain, but genuine thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness in the midst of chaos.
It means praying for our enemies – and y’all, that’s a hard one. When someone causes harm, when evil actions shatter lives, our natural response isn’t to pray for the perpetrator. But Jesus calls us to something supernatural, something that only makes sense in light of the gospel.
The Light Shines in the Darkness
John 1:5 tells us that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Every act of kindness, every moment of compassion, every prayer lifted up is that light pushing back against the darkness.
I see it in the first responders who run toward danger. I see it in the neighbors who bring meals to grieving families. I see it in children who pray for people they’ve never met. The light is there, friends. Sometimes we just have to look for it.
When tragedy strikes, evil doesn’t get the last word. Love does. Hope does. Jesus does.
How We Move Forward
So how do we live in a world where evil exists but God is still sovereign? We hold both truths at the same time. We grieve what’s broken while holding fast to what’s eternal. We work for justice while trusting in God’s ultimate plan.
We love our families a little tighter. We speak truth with compassion. We stand against evil in whatever ways we can – through our votes, our voices, our daily choices to choose light over darkness.
And we remember that this isn’t our final home. We’re just passing through, and our real citizenship is in heaven where there will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more evil.
Until that day comes, we keep our eyes on Jesus. We trust His heart when we can’t see His hands. We believe that somehow, in ways we can’t understand, He’s working all things together for good.
I’m praying for all of us today and in the days to come – that we’d have supernatural peace in the storm, wisdom to know how to respond, and hearts that remain soft toward both the hurting and the lost.
Keep looking up, sweet friends. Our hope is secure.
All my love, Mish
What helps you keep your eyes on Jesus when the world feels dark? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
