Themes of Faith: Anticipation

August 12, 2024

Anticipation is usually viewed as a positive experience. We look towards the future with excitement, anticipating events that are to come with hope. However, anticipation has a close cousin -- anxiety. Sometimes, when we look towards the future our mind wanders into anxious thoughts about negative consequences that might await us. The human body doesn't know the difference between the two. If you are excited, your pupils dilate, your heart rate quickens, and you may start to sweat. In the same way, when you are nervous about the future, your pupils dilate, your heart rate quickens, and you may start to sweat. The subtle difference between excitement and fear is simply our mindset. As people of faith, we have been given thousands of reasons to anticipate a hopeful future. Our mindset can be one of excitement because we know that the future is in God's hands and that in the end all of creation will be reconciled back to God.

" Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

- Hebrews 11:1

As I wait, I trust in you O God. Amen.

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By Kyra Morgan • September 27, 2024

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 In a recent meeting, Pastor Gary told us that the majority of people who step foot in a new church have experienced a major life change in the proceeding 6 months. A birth, a death, addiction or sobriety, or a move of place or job. The question is always the same: "am I going to be okay?" And so it was with me. I was constantly anxious and plagued with ‘What if?’. The answer was whatever worst-case scenario I could conjure and believe me, I am creative. But, over these last 2 years I now know the answer without a doubt that, yes, I am and will be okay. My embrace of an undoubtedly merciful Creator opened my heart. Even in the darkest times I've found the Peace of the Lord in those people doing his work on earth. Peace, Kyra Morgan