By Waylon Bailey
We have just celebrated the 243rd anniversary of American Independence. In many ways, it seems the worst of times. When you look at the world and when you look at America, you often feel that things are just not right.
You may have seen the reports out of France last week where the highest court in France ruled that a disabled man had to be starved to death. His parents are distraught and unbelieving that this could happen.
To show how incongruous the situation is the man will be sedated as a humanitarian gesture. Dying of thirst and starvation is one of the most horrific ways to die.
Since many people see secular Europe as a precursor to a secular America, this can and should be frightening for us.
How should we respond to this kind of thinking?
First, we should not give up. When it seems that all the world is against you, it’s easy to quit. Evil often wins simply because the righteous throw up their hands in defeat.
Paul understood the strategy of Satan and the tendency of the righteous. For this reason, he told the saints in the Roman Province of Galatia to “not be weary in doing well” (Galatians 6:9).
Second, we should seek righteousness in all things. Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom of God. In spite of life’s difficulty, we should seek to please God. God is pleased when His children seek to be like Him.
Finally, when everyone else seems to be doing their worst, we should seek to live our best. In the darkest of times, the light appears even more wonderful and hopeful.
As we do our best, others will be encouraged to do their best. This certainly must be one of the reasons Christ created the church. In the presence of other believers, we are encouraged. As we join together encouraging one another to love and good works, we demonstrate the power of God.
So, here are three things you can do in the worst of times.
(1) You can pray for strength for all believers. (2) You can encourage one another. (3) You can seek to live your best. (4) You can determine to not give up or give in. (5) You can be faithful in church attendance week by week.
“And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, when we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:9-10).
Waylon Bailey is senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington and president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. This editorial first appeared on Bailey’s website.
