My weekly news feed contains the frantically familiar.

Another celebrity or politician sits in the hot seat of moral failure. Another world leader seeks to bully the rest of the world. Another heartbroken family struggles to rebuild their lives without a loved one.

It’s a tragic version of here we go again. Yet, I don’t have to venture into today’s news to see the frantic.

I have my version.

Our son’s teenage shenanigans keeps my husband and me knee-deep in prayer and grace-deep in strength.  My personal inconsistencies (insert the times when my creativity lacks courage) challenges me with fear of the unknown.

I long to follow the Spirit’s leading and walk into victory. But as I take my first step, I often cry out for the Spirit’s strength and ask:

Can problems play a role in our progress in God’s plan?

Can we rise to the reality of His purpose when the ground feels thin beneath our feet?

Lord, I hope so.

Lord, You said so.

(Jesus speaking) “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT).

I need His reassurance when uncertainty flows from my news feed, frustration creeps into my parenting or inconsistency interrupts my expectations.

Yet, Jesus said I can “take heart,” if I give my heart to Him.

It’s an unshakable truth wrapped in His invincible love. Thankfully, the night Truth was born, peace came to earth too. And it came with an announcement:

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” – Luke 2:8-15 NLT

The peace on earth is “to those with whom God is pleased.”  We need faith to do that. (see Hebrews 11:6)  He requires our belief. He treasures our trust.

The shepherds believed and went to see what God said. The scene is often captured on a Christmas card. But the shepherds found what God promised because they sought Who God promised.

Faith is a tall order when what was easy starts to feel impossible — or the thing we hoped for looks improbable. But even when faith seems small, God can take our little and make much.

Even when life feels horribly inconsistent, Jesus is the same. Yesterday. Today. Forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

He is Lord, whether we look at Him cooing in a manger, dying on the Cross for our sins or rising from the dead and setting captive souls free. The shepherds went to a Bethlehem stable to see what the Lord told them. Let’s go to Him in prayer and see the stability and peace Christ brings.

Dear God, In the face of what feels frantic, I choose faith. I believe I can “take heart” as I give my heart to Christ. He is the Redeemer of sinful souls and the Overcomer of every trial and sorrow. May I experience His power as I face ______________.  And may there be glory to God in the highest and peace to us who believe. In Jesus’ name. Amen.