If you haven’t heard of the predictions of the end of the world in December of this year, you might be in a coma. Everyone is talking about the end times, or at least a complete and utter socio-economic collapse. The History Channel has a new reality show about extreme “preppers” who are building compounds to help them survive the collapse. Between environmental upheaval, dire economic news and the end of the Mayan calendar, people are full of fear.
And my husband and I are planning to get pregnant this year. In the midst of warnings of chaos, we are trying to have a baby.
Are we deaf? Blind? Living in wishful thinking la-la land? Not at all.
We have made preparations in the event of an emergency lasting longer than a few weeks, as any family should. We are aware of what may likely occur in the coming months or years, as the world’s chickens come home to roost. And there is little we can do about it. We choose not to live in fear.
The thing is, 2012 or not, Mayan calendar or not, the people of the United States, and indeed much of the world, have been living in a way that demands justice. And I’m not talking about wrath of God. I’m talking about the natural order of things. You can only abuse something so much before it bites you. And we have abused our economic system, our relationships, our planet and ourselves. This imbalance will be corrected in one manner or another, and by most estimates, this will happen sooner rather than later.
Yet life will go on. In fact, it may be even better!
We must approach this correction – and the clear suffering it will bring – as a purging of the cancer of the world. When it is over, we will be stronger, smarter, more loving, more resourceful and less fearful! When you have struggled and suffered, emerging from the darkness is like being reborn. And with every uncertain turn around the bend, the fear means less and less because you know what you can survive through, and even thrive through.
And the best part of all – Jesus will be with us the whole time, offering comfort, peaceful hearts and wisdom in our time of need. Oh, how he will speak to us during these times!
So I encourage you to not be fearful of these coming events, whenever they end up materializing. Prepare your family for physical needs, but also emotional and spiritual. Understand that we live in a world of excess, but in actuality we require very little. Look forward to the growth of self and deepening of relationships. Throw fear to the side and embrace the security of God’s grace within you.
Let’s make 2012 the beginning of peace and the end of fear.
