Assurance for the modern age. (Part 1)

(A long reflection in 12 parts – some stamina will be required!)

Assurance for the modern age

Part 1: A firm foundation in faith

How may people in the modern secular world find peace for their restless hearts? This appears to be a vital, urgent task. I write as a person of faith, who finds all they need in the assurance of God’s love. This provides me with complete stability of spirit, even within the trials and tribulations of life. I do not mean, of course, that I serenely step through life untroubled by any external events in the life of the world, nor undisturbed in spirit by all the internal anguish that befalls humankind in response to the many troubles that come our way. How on earth then can I talk about “stability of spirit”? It is because my faith in God gives me a foundation on which to stand, and I have complete confidence in this foundation. Though I may regularly be battered and wounded and in distress, these are not sufficient to shake my trust in the God who loves me. In him, I find an invincible confidence in life -that life is wonderful, that hope, goodness, truth and love surround and uphold me. I have complete assurance that these things can never be taken away from me – not even by death. Though in my bodily weakness, I am often anxious and sometimes afraid, even these stabs of pain to my soul do not threaten my assurance, for the Lord is with me, I will not be afraid, nor will I ever be lost to him.