With all the technology we have at our fingertips, we have access to a great deal of information and entertainment. It is easy to see the ugly things of this world: the hate that so easily comes our way if we disagree with someone’s viewpoint; the degradation of our society including sexual harassment, child pornography, senseless murders, and so much evil. Not to mention the pain we see in our loved ones. If we focus on the pain and our weariness, we will feel the despair, the emptiness, overwhelming burdens and fear, to name a few.

How can we see beyond this? Yesterday I was drawn to the following passage: “Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17)

While the rest of the world focuses on the intense pain, despair, and fear, we can ask the Lord to open our eyes to see His power and His supremacy over everything. “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

As Christ followers, we are already in the Victor’s camp. While it may appear the enemy is winning, that is a lie “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4) The Lord has the enemy surrounded, we just can’t always see it. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

We are never alone. “Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb 4:12-16) There is power in the name of Jesus, let’s not be afraid to call on Him–to boldly approach Him and lay our burdens at His feet. He has promised that we will receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.