More than Conquerors

Let's be honest. We complain ... a lot. We Americans complain about our government and our politics and our divisions between religions and morals, our economy, and on and on. We complain about the haves and the have nots and how much we don't have. We Christians complain, too. We complain about the ill treatment we are receiving from our government and our society. We complain about the political arena from a Christian perspective. We complain about persecution or we complain that some are complaining about persecution that is not persecution. If we aren't complaining, we're worrying. "Okay, so maybe it's not persecution, but it sure feels like it might be and looks like it might become persecution. I mean, things look bad for the home team." We worry about our livelihood and our families and our churches and, of all things, our rights. We even worry about our "stuff", to our shame. Worse, it's not without reason. I mean, things do look dark in places. How is America going to pull out of the messes it has built for itself? We have runaway national debt, a hostile-to-our-values education system, a climbing immorality rate (a figure that, strangely enough, never seems to show up in FBI statistics), and more. Where's the hope? So we complain and we worry.

May I suggest, dear Christian reader, that we are mistaken in our complaints and worries? Oh, no, I'm not saying there is no truth to them. Not my point. I'm saying that the answers exist and the outcome is fixed. We're complaining in the dark and worrying for nothing, not because there is no reason, but because we already know the results. What is that?

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Rom 8:31-37)

Nothing to fear, folks. In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. "Don't worry," God says, "I've got this."