We are prone to catastrophizing. The Fear Of Imaginary Negative Consequences (FOINC), when left unchecked, can create a perception within us that undermines our power to believe God and trust in Him.
The fear of a negative future has us seeing our current trials in their worst light, leading to their worst plausible (sometimes implausible) outcomes. We are afraid our cough is a serious illness or the disagreement with our friend will cost us all our friends and we will be lonely forever.
The simple truth of Romans 8 is a powerful one. It is literally impossible for a circumstance to separate us from the love of Christ. We can only be separated from God by our own volition.
Today is a day of difficulty. Interpersonal relationships. Finances. Office politics. Social etiquette. The expectations of others. The threat of rejection.
None of it disqualifies us from making the significant choice available to us today – to trust in God. None of it separates us from God’s love and the chance to participate in His Kingdom.
As we encounter the difficulties of the day, we will do better to see them in their proper context and to give them their proper weight. They are real and important, vital. But they are not definitive. They are the context not the measure. And the love of God is available within them all, if we just have the courage to see.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Romans 8:35, 38-39