“Have No Fear Of Evil News”

The short “BLOG Vacation” is over. I’ve given my brain some time to cool off. Time will tell if it made any difference. I have to say that while I enjoyed a little break, I kind of missed working on the BLOG. I think it keeps me a bit sharper. 

One of my children often refers to the importance of  “stimulating your neuroplasticity”. In case you’ve forgotten, “neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways and change how its circuits are wired; neurogenesis is the even more amazing ability of the brain to grow new neurons (Bergland, 2017).  A few more tidbits for you scientists …..  I also read that eating blueberries and dark chocolate can increase your brain cells…..hmmmm.  I’m waiting on the research correlating White Castle hamburger consumption with increased brain activity. Well, you can be the judge of whether I’ve developed “new brain connections or new neurons” due to my short vacation.  

Regardless of all this, it seems that the world could use a little vacation. As the Christmas season comes to an end, the craziness in the world seems to be coming back. You could even say that the news is evil…. “evil news…or evil tidings”. 

What should our response be to these evil tidings ? The Psalmist gives us some good advice…..“He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.” (Ps. 112:7)  We should have no fear of evil news, of evil tidings. In every situation, we must trust in the Lord, not in man. 

So, maybe the answer to dwindling brain cells is to eat more blueberries and dark chocolate,  but the answer to “evil news” is to trust in the Lord and have no fear.. As Mother Theresa said, “he may not take us out of the storm, but he will be with us in the storm”. So, hang on brothers and sisters as we go through trials and tribulations remembering that the Lord is our strength and he will help us. May we take refuge in the shadow of his wings.” 

 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.” (Ps. 91:1-6)