There are some anniversaries we love to keep. I hope Hubby reads this column, ‘cause our 27th anniversary is coming up shortly! Then there are others we’d rather not ever remember. One of those in the “not ever remember anniversaries” column would be the day the world shut down due to the oncoming pandemic. We all have stories of where we were and what we did when the news came down.I remember the day before the announcement was made; we were debating on whether or not to buy a new-to-us SUV.
We also all have stories of how the pandemic has affected us. I think it is safe to assume most of us were traumatized in one way or another. (Just an aside... the enemy of our souls can use trauma as an opening to invite darkness into our lives but we can be free of those effects through the name and blood of Jesus Christ.) Fear became greater than the virus itself. In the early days, the atmosphere was ominous, foreboding and apocalyptic-like. I admit my faith was shaken. I reached for my Bible more often. I listened to more worship songs. I hugged my family more.
I struggled with how to walk through this unsettling journey, especially with Lil Sweet Pea. It was a devastating blow to a child; it still is — as so much of their lives have been stolen from them. The freedom to meet friends on a playground came to a halt. The freedom to compete in horse-related activities came to a standstill. And the freedom to come and go as we pleased was taken from us. We lost so much. Two weeks has now become one year of ongoing restrictions, double standards and questionable irregularities.
These days are “perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]” 2 Timothy 3:1 AMP. Thankfully, we serve the God of the impossible and although, these days are hard to deal with and hard to bear, we take heart because with God, nothing is impossible! We cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in what the current doomsayers are speaking. “Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you in their attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not the anointed truths of the Anointed One.” Colossians 3:8
Jesus says there is a higher way of living. We don’t have to be disturbed by the current unrest “...for greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world”. 1 John 4:4. We don’t need to be concerned because “He perfects everything that concerns us.” Psalm 138:8. We don’t need to be distracted “...because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18 We don’t have to be anxious for “...You (God) will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3.
Just because you haven’t experienced it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. As we choose to set our minds on His promises, we will experience greater peace, safety and assurance. Soar high above the concerns, distractions, unrest and anxiety. Trust God at His Word and watch and see it come to pass.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
