The Greenville Pioneer - 2022-02-11

The Greenville Pioneer • Friday, February 11, 2022 17
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Living on Purpose
At his voice, the storm became a whisper
By Dr. Billy Holland
For Capital Region Independent Media
I spend a lot of time writing,
and I try to present a balance of
optimism and reality.
This is becoming more difficult
as we are constantly bombarded
with so many things we do not
understand. Even more disturbing
is to consider how much negativity
is going on that we are not
aware of. I’m not implying that we
anticipate evil behind every bush
or under every rock, but my convictions
accept our need to pray
for spiritual discernment.
I’ve had conversations with
individuals who believe that more
information is depressing and
brings them into a higher level of
anxiety. I understand. The idea of
knowing less is an attitude that
many are choosing to embrace
for the sake of their health and
well-being.
As a minister, I certainly do not
want to add more burdens to the
worries and concerns we already
struggle with, but learning how to
process and manage our thoughts
is a key to walking in a stronger
faith. Whether we decide to face it
or not, we are in a deadly spiritual
war and God’s people are called to
be His front-line soldiers.
We’ve all had our share of disappointments
and it’s painful, to
say the least. Personal problems
with finances, health issues and
stressful relationships take a heavy
toll on us. Many try to escape from
the suffering with temporary distractions,
but they are just instruments
of denial.
We can hide behind our fantasies
and pleasures for a while but
eventually, we are forced to return
to the reality of our situation.
The good news is these cycles
can be broken when the desire to
be set free becomes greater than
the desire to stay on the emotional
merry-go-round. So, how can we
overcome and claim victory? The
first step to walking in the peace
that passes all understanding is to
make sure our relationship with
Christ is where it should be.
Each person lives on a unique
spiritual level when it comes to
being in love with Jesus and I pray
that all will come to know God
while there is an open window of
His grace. If we ask Him to save
us, He will, and if we are saved,
we can repent and be restored into
a glorious fellowship with Him.
“For he says, in the time of my
favor I heard you, and in the day
of salvation I helped you. I tell
you, now is the time of God’s favor,
now is the day of salvation” II
Corinthians 6:2.
I’m not trying to be a bearer
of gloom, but I believe many
things are coming that will be
very disturbing. Sadly, there has
been much deception and we have
only seen the tip of the iceberg.
The more truth that is revealed the
more we need to be careful about
who we trust.
We are told in II Timothy
chapter 4 there are seducing spirits
and doctrines of devils that are
attempting to sear our conscience
like a hot iron. Matthew chapter
24 warns us about false prophets
and how sin will increase and
love will decrease. Luke chapter
21 also mentions shocking events
that will come upon the earth and
how people’s hearts will fail them
from fear.
We look around today and ask
ourselves, what did we think the
end times would look like?
Listen, my brothers and sisters,
the perfect love that casts out fear
is centered in our passionate love
for God. How can we love God
with all of our hearts if we do not
know Him? When we truly know
Him, we can place our trust in
Him completely and will be able
in His strength to endure whatever
happens.
I encourage you today to invest
more time with God. We can
be as close to Him as we want.
Turn your attention away from the
voices of chaos and confusion and
allow Him to prepare your heart
and renew your mind with His
thoughts.
In our search for truth, remember
He is the way, the truth,
and the life. May we allow His
personal instructions to bring protection,
wisdom, purity, hope and
encouragement into our lives so
we can abide in the peace and joy
of knowing that all is well with our
soul.
“Then they cried out to the
Lord in their trouble, and he
brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.”
Psalm 107:28-29.
Read more about the Christian
life at billyhollandministries.com.
Because you care!
Sometimes, things don’t always work out at home for a child.
New York’s Office of Children and Family Services estimates that 130,000
children around the state live with a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or other
family member. Some even live with close family friends. When a family member
or close family friend assumes the responsibility of caring for a child, that’s called
Kinship Care.
Perhaps you are a kinship care provider, or know someone who is. If you are,
you do it for all the right reasons. Because you care. But there’s good news.
St. Catherine’s Center for Children has launched a new program to support
kinship caregivers in Albany, Schenectady, Greene and Ulster Counties. The
program connects caregivers like you to a variety of community and public
support services, providing you with the tools you need to succeed. Want to learn
more? Call us at the number below, or email kinshipcare@st-cath.org
St. Catherine’s Center for Children
40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12203
www.st-cath.org • 518-453-6700