https://odb.org/2025/01/03/fear-of-the-unknown-2
John 16 – 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
As we enter 2025, some of us may feel some apprehension of what lies ahead. Like these past few years, the mood is sombre, rather than upbeat. Instead of feeling that we can conquer the world, we feel a little defeated, perhaps overwhelmed. The reason is real. Things are getting increasingly expensive. A bowl of noodles now costs around RM8.50 to RM9.00 when it was RM5.00 to RM6.00 just a few years back before Covid. You go to a mixed rice shop and order a few dishes, and it is around RM12.00. Tenaga recently announced an increase in electricity tariffs, which is perplexing when it is making billions in profits, to be precise, RM2.27 billion in 2023.
Unfortunately, our salaries are either stagnant or increasing at a snail’s pace. It is not uncommon nowadays to have 1% salary increment. That means if we made RM5,000 a month last year, we would make RM5,050 this year. Certainly worrying if we are starting out. Will our jobs be safe? How will we provide for our families this 2025? Will we be giving out RM5, RM10, or RM20 ang pows this coming Chinese New Year?
As a believer of Jesus, He anticipated that we would experience trouble. Like everyone else, but even more because we hold on to our Godly principles to be righteous before God. But His promise is that He has overcome the world, meaning He has defeated the ruler of the world through His victory on the cross. He told us before not to fear those who destroy our bodies but fear Him who is able to destroy our soul. (Matthew 10:28: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but can not kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”)
We have the promise of eternal life. We are assured of where we will be when our skin and flesh perish. We may die but will live because of Jesus Christ – He is the resurrection and the life! On top of all that, He lives in us and is there with us whatever we may be going through.
No matter what 2025 brings, we put our trust and hope in Christ. We trust it will be good for us, but even if not, Christ will find a way to bring us forward. Most importantly, we keep our soul and faith intact. He will make all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). His Word shall be a lamp unto our paths and will make our paths straight even as 2025 is predicted to be choppy waters. Let Jesus hold our hands and guide us along in 2025 as we look to the Holy Spirit for support and encouragement!
Ronnie's Thoughts 