We’re about to wrap week six of “Life as We Now Know It.”
Six weeks ago, COVID 19 was upon us and now it has finally arrived.
What, from a distance, appeared to be someone else’s nightmare, was now standing on the doorstep of the United States and was knocking.
In various regions of the globe this pandemic was taking lives by the seconds. Very quickly, the United States found itself bracing for an unprecedented time. A public health crisis was here in our midst and it wasn’t leaving anytime soon.
Fear and uncertainty swept our nation.
At the command of the 45th President, all citizens were to immediately seize gathering in large groups of 10 or more and implement social distancing, which meant our country was now shut down, literally.
Overnight people were ordered to stay home and all non-essential businesses were to remain closed. Employers were losing revenue, employees were losing jobs, and students were required to no longer attend the classroom and quickly acclimate themselves to virtual distance learning.
As the disease spread rapidly and the number of cases doubled and tripled each day, fear, worry, and extreme anxiety started manifesting themselves in a number of forms and at various levels.
As nature would have it, each one of us was navigating uncertainty and with that, we’re bound to encounter fear.
Initially, the designated time frame for social distancing was eight weeks, with many unknowns. Since, it’s been extended and many are managing the drastic changes to everyday life.
Today, it’s common to see a number of headline updates on the coronavirus throughout the day. It seems everywhere you turn, there’s a new guidance or directive set out to assist the citizens with reducing the spread of this deadly virus and it’s our individual responsibility to adhere to the instructions of those in command, but how? Our country, its citizens, and this generation, has never faced something of its kind.
While navigating through new territory and seeking wisdom from the Lord, I couldn’t help but think of some of my favorite Bible heroes who faced many challenges with unwavering faith and steadfast commitment managed to emerge victorious: Moses, King David, and the Apostle Paul, just to name a few.
What intrigued me most about these heroes, was that in their fear and uncertainty, and without hesitation, they’d “let their request be known to God.” Philippians 4:6.
Jesus had a way of setting the story straight and be reassuring of the infinite hope and love others would find in Him. This did not preclude His faithful followers, His disciples.
While referencing scripture, I stumbled across the book of Luke and the 21st chapter, tells of a story when Jesus destroyed the temple and warns the disciples of the signs of the end times:
Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”
“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so, you will bear testimony to me.
But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.
For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.
“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
From the disciples perspective, this had to bring about fear.
Naturally, they were fearful, but the disciples put their trust in Jesus, as should we.
The disciples had been walking with Jesus and were privy to His teachings and witnessed His miracles day in and day out. They were confident He would provide the tools necessary to conquer fear and deplete worry in times of uncertainty and distress.
The Father didn’t throw Jesus into the battle without equipping Him with the necessary tools He needed to win the battle. Neither did Jesus throw His disciples into the battle, without equipping them.
Within this passage, Jesus warns His disciple of the persecution and hardship they will suffer on His account and He knew there would be a time for His departure. Therefore, Jesus instructs the disciples,
“but make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.”
The disciples knew they would have to make a choice, “beforehand.” Beforehand implies before an action or event takes place or in advance of some occurrence.
Clearly and “beforehand”, a firm foundation in the Word of God and a belief in the supernatural strength of Jesus Christ, are essential to winning any battle.
The passage also commands,
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
“Make up your mind not to worry beforehand” and “lift up your head”, but what does this look like in a practical sense?
In my personal pursuit of getting rid of the worry, I’ve decided to get to know the God I so desperately love. I’ve learned to trust Him through the difficult times, stand on the promises of His word and look for ways to implement His peace in my day to day life. By practicing these principles, He becomes my central focus of my life, while all my worries slowly begin to diminish.
To get to know God, I have to carve out time in my day to give Him my undivided attention.
Typically, I spend the early morning hours of my day in prayer and devotion, coupled with scripture reading and biblical teachings. Spending time alone with God and in His word brings me closer to God and aligns my heart with His. The more time we spend with Him and the more I follow Him closely, the more I will be inclined to want to obey His commands and follow His lead throughout my day.
Trusting God when things are tough is not always easy.
I’ve learned to practice trusting Him with the small stuff on a routine basis and when the big stuff comes up, I resort right to the same method I’ve already rehearsed. If I encounter a problem, whether big or small, I surrender it to the Lord and immediately ask Him what He would like me to learn through this difficult time. Oftentimes, I will sense a direction to pursue, a scripture to press into, or a song that speaks to me, which will lead me to a resolution and if not a resolution, peace of mind or the courage to remain patient and still enough to hear His voice, once again. This becomes a cyclical pattern, proving itself time and time again.
An intentional quest for peace has become a daily practice.
Some of the ways I implement peace in my life are drawing the Lord into my situation. Simply saying His name, brings about peace. Other times, I will listen to praise and worship music, which inevitably draws my heart nearer toward Him and a sudden peace washing over me and reminds me, He is near. Another way I sense the Lord's peace is through creation. An anticipated trip to the beach, a long drive toward the sunset or a casual evening stroll through the park helps remind me of the sovereignty of God.
When we place God in the center of our lives, He is certain to make His presence known.
While fear and uncertainty continue to sweep our nation, trusting and leaning into God’s strength, will remind me, I don’t have to go this alone “...because God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
As difficult as it may seem sometimes, we must re-align our focus to rely on God instead of the ways of the world and continue to move forward one small scale action at a time. This only comes with the intent to consistently pursue Him in all we do, ask, or think. Your constant pursuit of the Father and commitment to keep Him at the forefront of your thoughts will yield lasting peace, and a renewed passion to pursue Him daily, which will inevitably give you an unexplainable Hope.
True fulfillment and peace of mind comes only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Well, you made it friend!
Glad you’re here and I hope you enjoyed this blog. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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