Put down your umbrella... it's going to be okay!
I began this post earlier in the week.
I had woken up with the pandemic on my mind.
Some of you who are reading this are probably thinking to yourself, is it just now on her mind?
No, it is not just now on my mind. Thoughts surrounding the pandemic have visited my thoughts many times. However, I have made and continue to remind myself that I will not allow fear of the unknown consume me.
Like many others, the initial news of the pandemic felt like something out of a movie.
I can remember asking myself~ is this really happening?
I did not have to wait long for the answer.
The emergency closure of schools and the community verified that something was indeed happening.
Even then I was unsure of what to believe or feel.
I am confident that I wasn’t and probably still am not alone in that feeling.
Like many others, I began listening to the media in hopes of gaining a better understanding. Social media was not too far behind. I will not go into what kind of epic fail that was.
The more I pursued these methods for gaining an understanding, the more fear and judgment I experienced in my life.
It did not take long to realize that I could not hear anything HE wanted to say because my umbrella was up as I embraced the storm infront of me.
One year and five months later, the uncertainty continues.
I probably should also communicate that I recently tested positive for Covid-19.
I am not going to lie. It was rough.
What I have learned over the past 17 months helped me to have peace even when I faced the unknown.
There has always been and will continue to be times of sickness, trials, and uncertainty.
God reminded me that now is the time for the church to stand up. We talk about our faith all the time. However, when confronted with (you fill in the blank) our talk often does not translate into actions.
Stop referring to what you heard on your local news station or social media thread and refer to what God says in his word.
In Exodus 14, we read that the Isrealites are lost; they’re confused. I think we can agree that description could be applied to a lot of the world today: lost and confused.
Later in the chapter, the Isrealites begin to question their circumstances. Again, I think we can agree that this response could apply to a lot of people in the world today: those who believe and those who do not. (John 3:16)
The key phrases from Moses’ response to the Isrealites are
Do not be afraid.
Stand Firm
God will fight the battle for you.
Per Google:
The words Fear not are in the bible 365 times.
365 times… 365 days in a year… I will let you make your own assumptions from here.
There are also 100 verses in the bible that reference God fighting battles for you.
When you are feeling overwhelmed and get the urge to consult your local news station or social media….
Instead I would encourage you to search for verses in the bible.
And as you put the umbrella down from the storm, the facts of his promises will bring you more peace than the other resources ever will.
Chapter 14 ends with the Isrealites witnessing the faithfulness of God and all his glory.
“ the people were in reverent awe before God and trusted in God”
(Exodus 14 The Message)
Before Jesus surrendered his life to God’s will, he said,
“ Do you finally believe it?
In fact, you’re about to make a run for it~saving your own skins and abandoning me.
But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me.
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakeable and assured deeply at peace.
In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.
But take heart!
I’ve conquered the world.
John 16 (The Message)
Exactly 🙏🏻💙
ReplyDelete