I’ll admit that while I remember World War II, I was a teenager and much of what I know came from those older and wiser than I was.

I do recall all the rationing that took place…meat, sugar, shoes and gasoline. I recall the days in 7th and 8th grade when we were dismissed from class to canvas the neighborhood for scrap iron.

I remember lots of things and most poignantly the constant loss of lives of our young men.

Those were the days when banners hung in windows with a star reflecting each person from that household who was serving in the armed forces. When the star became a ‘gold’ star, it meant the loss of the life of one of those serving.

That's enough thinking about what ‘was’. I’m going to move on to what ‘is’.

This whole idea came to me as I read one of the articles in my Guidepost book that I ‘gift’ myself with each Christmas. The author of one of the pieces several months back was a gentleman who had served in World War II and was stationed in N. Africa waiting for the surge that would soon come.

At that time there was someone called “Axis Sally” who broadcast radio messages to the troops. She was an American woman working for the enemy to destroy the morale of the troops and frighten them with all the knowledge she possessed.

The author wrote he recalled many of the facts Axis Sally related proved to be true, but they were being used to demoralize and frighten those serving who already knew and dreaded the battles that were to come.

The reason this author wrote his devotional was to remind us all of a very important truth.

Each generation of people face problems. I’m sure some of the problems are worse than others. But I think I’m being honest when I saw we all face fears that sometimes hinder our ability to move ahead with confidence instead of fear.

The author stated he was approaching his 88th birthday and had come to the realization that ‘bad news’ is still being broadcast. Just turn on our radios and we will hear of natural disasters all over the world. We will hear of the violence perpetrated by those who want to rule with fear and hate. We learn about the economic problems, unemployment, bankruptcy, foreclosures, the violence in our society, news of war and on and on.

Yes, fear is a very real part of our lives. But I guess the question we need to ask ourselves is this. Will we focus only on these facts that are for the most part ‘true’ or will we replace the fear with ‘trust’.

Perhaps we’ll say we no longer trust governments, but there is a God who we can always trust, isn’t there?

If we only focus our thoughts on the bad, the ugly, and the violent, however true they may be, then that diet of negative thoughts begins to threaten our peace of mind and our ability to move ahead.

I very much enjoyed this gentleman’s conclusion to his devotion. He suggested that we open our hearts and minds to the “Good News”. God awaits us. We need to ‘reconnect’ and find the power that will help us to live more confidently, and also to reach out to those in need. We, in spite of our limited ability, can make a difference in a hurting world.

And, wouldn’t we all like to be the one spreading the ‘Good News’ rather than being one who sits back in fear and chooses not to act at all?

I pray that each and every one of us can hear God’s voice above all the bitterness, hate, and tragedy that our daily news provides for us.

It’s our choice. Will we focus only on the ‘bad’ or will we tune into the ‘Good News’ and try to make a difference in a world in pain?