But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!     2 Timothy 3:1-5 HCSB

I realize that my title seems a bit hopeless, but please read on for how we can have hope in dark times. Our Scripture passage for today warns that in these end times people will be awful. That kind of sums it up. We are told to avoid these people, but it seems to be more difficult to do.

It seems that anywhere you go, you have a tendency to see this in action. We see drivers that drive like maniacs and exhibit road rage. We see people in the news doing horrible things to their own children, spouses, and other family members.

The bad news is this is only going to get worse until Jesus comes back. Then when the tribulation starts it will go from really bad to worse.

The good news is there is a way that we can be protected during these difficult times. We can surrender our lives to Christ and live under the protection of the Almighty God. We are told in Psalm 91:1-2, “The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”

Now I encourage you to read Psalm 91 at any time that you feel fearful or discouraged. It is an awesome Psalm of protection and one of my favorites. It provided a great deal of comfort to me when I was going through a difficult time with some difficult people.

As times get worse, we can actually get better. It’s important that we remember several things. First, we must remember that God is in control. While many people spiral out of control, we can count on a God who is fully in control. We can trust in Him and surrender to Him.

You also need to remember that this is a big battle that you cannot fight on your own. You need to trust in the Lord to fight this battle for you. We saw God fight the battle for the Israelites numerous times in the Old Testament and He is still willing to fight our battles for us today. All we have to do is ask.

And most importantly, remember Romans 8:28 which tells us that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Even in the worst of times, God is working it out for our good and His glory.

Yes, my friend, we are in the end times. We have been in the end times since Jesus ascended into heaven after His crucifixion and resurrection. So, each day we draw closer to the rapture. Each day we come closer to the time that we will be called home to spend eternity in heaven with our Lord and Savior.

I hope you are assured that you will spend eternity in heaven. If you think it can’t get any worse than it is here, I think hell will prove to you that it can get much worse.

Surrender to God so that you can be assured of His protection during these difficult times. I promise you He makes bad times better. And be assured of your eternal destination. This is not something you want to get wrong, trust me.

Surrender yourself to Christ, do God’s will and focus on Him and He will take care of the rest. So, no matter how bad times may get, He’s got you.

Have a great day!