God has really put it on my heart to address the pandemic situation at hand + this is something I think we are all in need of. I don’t know what the coronavirus looks like in your area. Your area may have moved on already + everything feels pretty normal, or you still may be very limited in what you can do. Whatever the case may be, I want to share with you what God’s been showing me about this pandemic… even though this post could have been helpful a couple months ago, I think it is still relevant.
This is a post I think we all need to hear. We have never had to deal with anything of this sort before. There are so many questions + a lot of fear + so much unknown. Now more than ever, people are looking for answers. I hope this post can point you towards God in this midst of this pandemic. God has brought so many truths to mind that I want to share with you.
First of all, through all of this we can trust in God’s character. God knows what is going on. He understands our situation. Psalm 147:5 says, ‘Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.’ He goes before us + He walks alongside us through all of this. God is completely in control + aware of the situation.
And I believe that God has a purpose for all things. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 + Romans 8:28 that He is working for good… our situation may not always be good, but we can trust that God is using it, even if we don’t understand it fully. Ultimately He sees the big picture + we don’t. Also I think He cares more about the process than the actual product. He’s more interested in us growing + gaining character, rather than us accomplishing more + having more stuff. He didn’t tell us that life would be easy or always go the way we expect, but He does tell us that He’s using it. John 5:17 says, “Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”” So we can trust that God is who He says He is.
In this post, I don’t want to sugar coat anything because the truth is this pandemic has been hard + it is difficult to stay joyful. College looking different in the fall is not at all what I wanted, I’ve shed tears on the things I’m missing out on + my heart aches for those I now going through a lot. And I think it’s easy to think that in this situation the Christian thing to do, that God wants us to do is just suck it up + be joyful + trusting. It seems like we need to be the ones to have it all together so we can help others + best glorify God.
But Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, ‘There is a time for everything.’ God isn’t asking us to put on a happy face + seem like there’s nothing wrong. There is a time for sadness + vulnerability + struggling. It goes way deeper than how we’re feeling because God did create feelings. In this time, it’s more about who we are trusting + turning to.
In James 1 when it says ‘count it all joy whenever you go through trials’, it doesn’t mean that we fake it till we make it… it’s actually quite the opposite. When we have the Holy Spirit in us, that connection with God gives us the perspective + strength we need. We can’t be joyful in hardships on our own strength– that is against our human nature. We can try our hardest to be good + happy, but ultimately we are going by our own standards instead of God’s. God is asking that we lean on Him + seek Him. Through that, He can give us intangible things, like peace, joy, self control, etc– which is truly what we need in these times. Not more entertainment to distract ourselves from what’s going on, not more busy schedules so we don’t have to think about it.
This is a time when we especially need to be leaning on God. Our quiet times + time spent with God is crucial. The only way we can get through this is by leaning on God. I know this is kinda a cliche answer, but you’re either living as a follower or you aren’t. You either have God’s Spirit inside of you or you don’t. The Bible says that light + darkness cannot cohabitate, meaning that it’s all one or the other. And being lukeworm is even worse (Revelation 3:14-16).
So as we go into whatever’s next, whether its a new school year or more work, it WILL be different than what we expected + it WILL be different than ever before. But we are all in this together (cue high school musical). This is a very revealing time as we get to ask ourselves: do we actually trust that He is working for good? do we trust that God sees the bigger picture? We may never understand, + it can be easy to question God for bringing such hardship + even death to people. But are we believing who He says He is?
And not just do you know in your head… but do you actually live it out? You may say you trust God, but then turn to social media to bring comfort or work more so you can be sufficient. If you truly believe it, it will be shown in your actions + the way you live, not working in your own power.
God is also asking us to change our perspective through all of this. How can I make the most of this situation? What are ways I can still have fun + interact with people? What are the benefits of this time? And if I’m being honest, I’ve been wrestling with these questions a lot because it is hard to see all the positive in this. It’s hard to find anything good when so much is being limited. But can I just let you know that God wants to use you during this time. This pandemic is an opportunity for so many things. Look around because He is doing a new thing!
He may be calling you to serve people in your church congregation by making them a meal or sending them a card, or to check in on your friends + see how they’re doing. During this time He may be revealing to you your purpose or setting your life on a different track. He may be calling you to lead a Bible study or work through the pain of the past. Whatever it may be, big or small (because the small things are important to), He is at work… the question is: are you available?
Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” I think we truly have to hold on to this verse. We have our own plans + expectations in mind, but it is God who works beyond our expectations + can do anything. Ultimately the Lord’s desires will prevail, but will we be on the right side of it, trusting Him + seeing that fruit? Or will we run away + waste what God wants to do in us.
So yes, these times may be frustrating + different than you expected, but don’t let that blind you from what God is trying to do + who God is. He is present, He is understanding, He is working. He is doing a new thing in this pandemic.
Praying for you all!
<3 Ainsley