OVERCOMING FEAR IN TODAY'S CHAOTIC WORLD

If I were to focus just the slightest attention on all the chaos in our sin-sick world today, I would be overwhelmed and constantly depressed - perhaps even suicidal!  BUT, I have chosen to believe what God's Word has to say about our times, and regardless of the media, the politics, the "wolves in sheep's clothing," Islamic terrorism, and the continuous threat of having my Social Security benefits reduced or stopped, I stand on the Bible promise of God (1 Cor. 10:13 below in KJV and  NLT): 

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

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"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure."

The Greek word translated "temptation" is  πειρασμός (peirasmos), which, depending upon the context, can mean:  "a test," "a trial," "a temptation," or "a threatening situation." " πειρασμός" is found in "The Lord's Prayer" (Mt. 6:13), and it refers to one's life be threatened in Acts 20:19.  However, the best example is found in Revelation 3:10, which says, "Because thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."  I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever, that based upon this and other Bible verses (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:13-18; etc.), born again believers will be "Raptured" before "all hell breaks loose" in the Tribulation (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. Ch. 6-19).

In the Book of Revelation, Chapters Two and Three, the seven churches in Asia Minor are promised the same thing:  to those who overcome this world, Jesus promises a reward (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).  To the person unfamiliar with God's Word, that sounds like He is saying that in order to be saved, one must not yield to temptation.  However, the same John who wrote Revelation, also wrote 1 John 5:4-6 which explains how one overcomes this world:

"For (whosoever) is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth."

To overcome life's trials, simply trust in the resurrected Lord:  Jesus Christ!