Category: Trials

Posted on

The Glory in Our Story

Hurry up and wait. That’s the in-between I feel that I’ve lived in since February 18th. 

It’s been a little over 5 months since we lost the little one that lived inside me for 6 weeks. 

6 weeks. That’s all it took to change our lives forever. 

In the 5 months since that day I have walked through every emotion that one human can know. There have been days of deep grief, confusion, and questioning. Others have been filled with hope, peace, and even excitement for the future. 

I recently rewatched our wedding video. That day is full of so many sweet moments and memories! As I watched, my heart ached in a way that it had not before while reminiscing. As we said our vows and promised our lives to each other, there was one line that stuck out to me.

“I, Emily, in the presence of God, take you, Brannon, to be my husband, to love and to follow from this day forward, in good times and bad, when God gives and when He takes away…”

When I repeated those words that day I remember thinking of my mom. When she promised herself to my dad, she had no clue that the day she would have to say goodbye to him would come much sooner than she would have ever dreamed. Saying those words, because of my family’s story, I knew that they carried much weight with them. I recognized that we were not promised long lives, material wealth, and healthy bodies from now until eternity. I had walked through grief and seen God’s goodness in the taking away. Even in that, I did not know what was to come in our story and how difficult it would be to trust God in the taking away in our married life. 

Infertility was something that I always feared, but never actually believed would be something that I would walk through. I had the “that could never happen to me” mentality. When conversations began with my doctor that something might be a little off, my mind went into overdrive. Is it something I’m doing? What about my life needs to change to fix this? What have I done to cause this? 

For almost a year Brannon and I walked through test after test, doctor’s appointment after doctor’s appointment. We did a lot of hurrying to try and get to the root of the issues, but it seemed like a lot more waiting- waiting on test results, waiting to know what next steps were available, waiting to understand what all of this meant. 

I will never forget the feeling that I had when I saw my positive pregnancy test. There was utter disbelief and shock. How could this be? Was this happening? I always wondered what creative way I’d find to tell Brannon that he was going to be a dad. At that moment, all of those ideas flew out the window. I called him immediately and through the phone yelled “you have to go buy me more pregnancy tests! Right now!” To which he responded, “this is really how you are going to tell me this?!” There was no time for thinking! We were completely overjoyed! 

Only 6 weeks in and our baby’s heart stopped beating. Our joy quickly turned to sorrow. 

The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. 

It has been 5 months since then. 5 months of recovering, hurrying to get answers and next steps, and waiting on when we’d see that day come once again when 2 pink lines pop up on a pregnancy test. 

I don’t know how long we will be waiting. I don’t know how many more doctor visits and tests we will have to go through. We have no idea. So we hurry up to do what we can and wait on the Lord. 

I’ve spent a lot of time mulling over what it should be like to share our journey in this. Writing has always been an outlet for me, but this is also a deeply personal topic to many. What I have learned is that it is the story of far more couples than I ever recognized before I walked this road. And even in that, all of our stories look a bit different. Some women have been trying for years, others only a few months. Some couples have multiple babies in heaven, others have several in their arms. Regardless of the path for each family, many of the emotions and struggles are similar. Miscarriage and infertility are challenging and often silent battles. 

Sharing our story is therapeutic to me. The little life that we lost has value. I want to give it the space in our family that it deserves! The road of infertility is lonely, and I want other men and women walking through it to know they are not alone and that in Christ, there is hope. 

The glory in our story is not a baby. Of course, our prayer is that one day we will have the privilege to hold a little one of our own in our arms. We know, however, that is not promised to us. The glory in our story is God. The glory is how He is working gratitude in our hearts when they would naturally lean towards frustration. The glory is the patience we’re given when it would be easier to be impatient. The glory is the new understanding we are gaining in His Word. The glory is the depths of His character we are getting to experience. The glory is how He has united us with other people walking similar roads that can encourage, uplift, and bear our burdens with us. The glory is what He is allowing us to see that we would not have been able to see had we not been standing in the valley. 

His Word is true when it says He uses trials to grow steadfastness within us. One day, we will be perfect, lacking in nothing. That day will be when we meet Jesus face to face, and that is where our true home is (James 1). Our circumstances and experiences are real, but the promises of His Word are what is sure, steady, and trustworthy. They are what exist as our stronghold when the whole earth is shaking beneath our feet. His gospel is the only thing that makes sense of the sufferings of this world. 

In our lives right now we are hurrying to do what we can physically for our bodies to create and sustain life and then waiting to see what comes of it. I pray that more than physically, I am hurrying to read His Word, to fill my mind with His truth, to surround myself with Christian community and allow them to bear these burdens with me, to be present in my local body, to commit myself to prayer, and to graciously love, serve, and submit to my husband. As we do these things, let us wait on the Lord in hope. I know that it is in this place that I learn true dependence on Him. 

He is making all things new! Praise God – our suffering is not wasted. 

Posted on

Why do bad things happen to “good” people?

One of my favorite quotes by R.C. Sproul Jr. says this, 

“Why do bad things happen to good people? That only happened once and He volunteered.”

R.C Sproul Jr

This question is one that frustrates the minds of many – why do bad things happen to good people? We have all faced trials and sufferings of different kinds. Losing loved ones, facing sickness, financial struggles, natural disasters, and more have disrupted the lives of people across our world from the beginning of time. I’m sure there have been times where you too have begged the question, “why?”

You’re not alone in that wondering. In my lifetime I’ve faced several challenges that have caused me to question and doubt the goodness of God. At only 5 years old I watched my dad battle against cancer raging through his body, and eventually succumb to the disease. We lost my grandfather and a family friend during my middle school years. My grandmothers have all faced serious health challenges that threatened their lives. My uncle died suddenly in the night. And just recently we got an unwanted breast cancer diagnosis for my mom. 

Some might say that I have the right to ask those “why” questions, and while it’s definitely our natural inclination to do so, I’ve learned that those aren’t the questions that we should be asking. 

In my 22 years of life, I’ve thought a lot about suffering on this side of heaven, what its purpose is, and why we endure it. Though I don’t pretend to know all of the answers, I do know the hope that I have in Christ that’s guided me through life’s toughest battles.

I don’t believe we will always know all the answers however, I do think there are truths that we can cling to when we face trials of various kinds. 

No one is good: 

Romans 3:10-12  
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

Ephesians 2:1-3 
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”

God is the standard of goodness and we have all gravely missed the mark. Due to our sin, we are separated from Christ, damned, and wretched. 

These verses are hard to swallow, but when we come to terms with our complete lack of goodness we can see more clearly his absolute goodness. When we understand that we are not good and unable to become good in our own strength, we are left searching for some type of hope. That hope is only found through Christ. 

There is purpose in suffering:

James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The Lord has made it clear in scripture that when (not if) we meet trials and sufferings that He is working within us. 

God uses suffering to open our eyes to where our treasure truly lies. If we treasure the health and wealth of this world, trials and tribulations will shake us to our core. If our treasure is in Christ, His promises and His eternal Kingdom, even life’s roughest storms will not move us. 

Suffering allows us to know God more. Had it not been for the dark days that my family walked through in losing my dad to cancer, I am not sure I would know the Lord today. He used those times in my life to show me my incredible need for Him. Through long nights of tears and questioning, I learned of His kindness, His faithfulness, His character, and His goodness.

Suffering refines us, leading us towards righteousness. Refining won’t always feel good at the moment, but what it is making is beautiful and worth it. 

We have a reason to rejoice:  

One of my dad’s favorite passages was 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

In the years after we lost my dad, I would read over these verses and furrow my brow – rejoice? The will of God is for me to rejoice when I feel that I lost my dad too soon? And these are the words my dad clung to in facing death? 

His soul found rest in these verses because he knew that he had hope in Christ, outside of this world, that could not be touched or altered by sufferings in this lifetime. There is always a reason to rejoice in that. 

This hope is not found in healed diseases, financial peace, or calmed storms. This hope comes from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

As I said earlier – no one is good. In our sinfulness, we were separated from Christ. We have no hope. But God sent his son into this world for us. He stepped down out of heaven, walked around on the dust of the earth, never sinning and living a perfectly holy life. Yet, he was led to the cross. Upon him, our sins were placed. The Father looked away, and Jesus breathed His last. 

Three days later, the true breath of life filled His lungs and He walked out of the grave – defeating death and sin. 

He is where our hope lies. Jesus made a way, despite our lack of goodness, for us to know Him and walk in relationship with Him. When we know Him as our Savior and He becomes the Lord of our life, we are promised far more than a perfectly healthy body and ease of days – we are promised eternity with Him. 

That is why even when we face suffering of many kinds, we can and should rejoice. Praise God, this world and these bodies are not our home. 

So why do bad things happen to good people? Well, as R.C Sproul Jr. said, that only happened once – and He volunteered. Christ volunteered to stand in our place, as the only one in all of humanity that was good, to receive a bad, but just, punishment for our sins. And now, He calls us to himself – to repent, follow Him and make disciples of all nations. 

So even in the face of sufferings in this life – losing my dad, other loved ones, and now facing my mom’s cancer diagnosis – I will hope in Christ, rejoice in His promises, and cling to His faithfulness. 

Posted on

To The Christian That is Questioning

We are walking through days that we have never faced before. We are all scrambling to do the best that we can. Not one of us know how to do this perfectly.

Since January when the coronavirus first started making its way into the American news streams, the questioning began: Is this serious? Will it kill? How should we react?

I remember conversations I shared with others that felt it was no big deal at the time, as did I. It didn’t take long for us to realize things were going to play out a bit differently than the typical flu season. As businesses and schools began to close, fears began to rise. How long will this last? Will there be a way to treat it? How will our hospitals handle it? What about those that are losing jobs? Will there be more implications from this than just a health crisis?

As time progressed, new information surfaced.

 I have watched countless doctors stand on two different sides of the “science” fence. Some advocate for stricter rules, others disagree and argue for re-opening.

Politicians rage between party lines. Some seem to be working for our health and freedom, others only for their own.

The point at which I feel truly mad when trying to discern truth is when I see people on two different sides of the lines, kicking and screaming for what they believe to be true, as I stand in the middle trying to grasp, “well who do I believe?” I hold no degrees in medicine, and I’ve never in depth studied the law. So, when many of those that do have that knowledge, divide on what they believe how are we to know what is true?

It doesn’t take but a few scrolls through Facebook to see that we are all just trying to figure this thing out. It’s not just information about the virus, either. The stimulus packages, the scandals, the hidden agendas, the medical debates, the election news, the economic downturn – all are things I find myself searching and searching to “figure out.”

I have spent hours upon hours over the last two months reading, listening, and watching. Though I have never been one to study too far into politics, this pandemic has flipped a switch in me. I desire to be informed, well versed, and knowledgeable on the positions that I take. Why do I believe what I believe? I do not want to be the one fighting for what I stand for, when I have no leg to stand on.

Trust me, I am just as frustrated as the next person when I read the news or listen to a new piece of information. It seems as though as soon as something is stated, something else is released that changes the story. Some doctors say to wear masks, some say don’t. Some say to stay inside, others say that’s causing us greater issues. Political leaders seem to change their mind every hour, or focus on parts of this pandemic that aren’t important at all to the health and well-being of our country.  I am frustrated with the constant circle of chasing the true narrative just like you are.

Whether or not we agree on the same means by which this all should be handled, I do think the majority could agree that we all want the same thing- we want what’s best for this country, for our families, for our livelihoods and for our health.

As a Christian I have battled deeply within how to view this time first as a citizen of heaven, and then as a citizen of America. Both are important, but only one is eternal. Not only has this time proved difficult as an American, it’s stretched my faith and caused me to look further into how to exist as a sojourner awaiting my heavenly home, while not neglecting to serve others, love kindness, and do justice in the country I have been born into.

The bottom line is this: we need grace for one another.

I understand that not all motives are pure, but we must seek to understand the views from the opposite side of the fence.

 While I am not saying to NOT question the powers that be and the information that you are receiving, because I do think that is important. I am doing that myself! I have opinions and views that may or may not be shared by fellow believers. I love debating these issues, conversing about them, and having discussion with others to help me further understand and grasp all that I believe or don’t believe. However, what I am saying that as Christians we must consider how our speech and our actions are affecting others. Are we building each other up? How are we seeking unity? Are we giving into what the enemy wants and dividing right down the middle as we cling to our sides more than we cling to our faith?

I am not speaking right now to what you should or shouldn’t believe. My concern is more so that the church is allowing the happenings of this world- the world that we are told is NOT our home– to knock us completely off focus.

Pastors and church leaders are having to make extremely difficult decisions – are you praying for them or are you only bashing them for not doing what you think they should do in the time that you think they should do it?

Christians who hold political positions are having to fight tooth and nail to preserve the freedoms we have to our religion. Have you considered that this time might be mentally, emotionally and physically detrimental to their health? Have you stopped to thank them for their desire to serve God by serving the country that he placed them in?

Politicians that aren’t believers are in incredible positions of power that make decisions that affect all. Have you reminded yourself that we are called, by scripture, to pray for our leaders? Have we forgotten that even the coldest heart towards our faith could be changed by the Gospel? Have we forgotten that He has the power to save?

Nurses, doctors, and front-line workers of all kinds are making massive sacrifices for the health of many. Have you reminded them how grateful you are for them and the work that they do?

Brothers and sisters in Christ are facing tremendous struggles from their health to their ability to feed their families and all else in between. Are you encouraging them, seeking to serve them, or casting judgement when you see them out wearing a mask when you believe masks are useless? Or, on the opposite side, are you shouting mean remarks (verbally, behind a screen, or even just in your thoughts) because other believers think that it is time to get back to normal, to open the economy back up, and to remove the restrictions in place when you think it’s too soon?

Maybe I should re word those paragraphs instead to read “am I” doing these things, because if I had to be honest, the answer would be no. Not enough, at least.

The church is on a pedestal right now– how will the world see us? As hypocrites who divide amongst each other and fight to get their own way? Or will they see an example of a people walking humbly together, even when we disagree, for a greater goal than any vaccine, economic breakthrough, political ruling, or medical discovery could every bring about? Do you even know what I am talking about? THE GOSPEL. Have we completely lost sight?

Are we willing to say “Lord, change my heart, even if it is uncomfortable? Help me to see as you see, and to love truth of your Word more than self and more than preferences.”

Psalm 1 tells us that we should delight in the Law of the Lord more than ANYTHING else. Are we seeking to spend time in Scripture just as much as we are seeking to justify and find facts to back up what we believe to be true about this pandemic? Though there isn’t a verse that says, “and when you face the coronavirus do this…” there are verses that tell us our purpose, how to love one another, how to face trials of various kinds, how to show grace and mercy, and how to walk in obedience.

Form your opinions. Seek to know the truth. Dig to find answers. Discuss it with your trusted friends and family. But in the meantime, show grace to others who are doing the exact same thing you are doing. Pray to recognize the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life, now more than ever. Meditate on His Word day and night. Seek to love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with your God.

To even write these words my toes were stepped on. I have not done a good job at these things I’ve listed above. Instead, I have been more concerned with proving what I believe to be true.

As believers we are called to care, to be involved in government affairs, to make wise decisions in who we vote for, what we believe in, and how we live as citizens of this country. I hope to write more on my thoughts on that soon. However, for now, I encourage you brothers and sisters to not forget the hope that we have in Christ. This is a hope that is not based on circumstances, but on a grave that is empty. May we cling to that reality that is true and share it with others now more than ever before.  

Our hope is not in odds. Our hope is in God. – John Piper

We don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, but we do know what is going to happen ultimately. – Allie Beth Stuckey

Prayer Challenge:

I want to offer you this prayer challenge. It has helped me to switch my perspective each day. I invite you to join in on this with me. Change the days to make them personal to you, if that helps, but do not neglect to pray– for all things, knowing who your God is.

Monday: Your circle of friends, family, church members, and coworkers

Tuesday: Universal and persecuted church

Wednesday: All government leaders- local, state, and national

Thursday: Healthcare workers and first responders

Friday: Vulnerable communities- those who have lost jobs, those who are impoverished, single parent homes, those who are sick, etc.

Saturday: Those who do not know Christ

Sunday: Brothers and sister in Christ

It has helped me to set reminders in my phone to go off at a convenient time each day. If you join in on, let me know. I would love to hear how the Lord is working in your heart through prayer and scripture during these days.

I am praying for you, brothers and sisters in Christ. Those these times are hard, we know the end of our story.

Posted on

Known in the Unknown

Overwhelmed. That’s how I feel today.

I have watched every press briefing that I can. I’ve read posts, listened to podcasts, researched and looked up everything I know to try and figure out the answer to this pandemic.

I want to understand it. I want to know how our government should be responding. Should we open back up the states? How fast? Do we wait till there is better testing or possibly a vaccine? But that will take more than a year? What if we shut everything down for as long as needed, but our economy tanks and people without jobs can no longer feed their families? What is worse? A virus, or a great depression? Is there a way to avoid both?

My mind has been running wild. Truth is, there isn’t an easy answer, and I am definitely not educated enough to be the one to figure out what even the best possible answer might be.

The other day I asked this question on my Instagram story: What have you been encouraged by during COVID-19? The answers were many.

“The Lord revealing Himself to me”
“The opportunity to learn new things”
“Reminders of who God is and what He has promised”
“How we are ALL in this together”
“The local church”

It was sweet to read all of reminders of the good things that are coming from even the toughest of days. The church is being mobilized, many are leaning into the truth of who God is, we are being slowed down to a pace we normally would not allow ourselves to get to, and we are looking up from our screens to see the world and the people around us from a new perspective. Despite what the headlines might say, we DO have a reason to sing.

Not Alone

Now more than ever the majority of us are walking through a time where our trust in God and faith in what He says has been put to the test. As some might say, it is a time when the rubber has met the road.

We have all walked through difficult days of various trials before this virus came along. Can you remember a time though when we were all simultaneously facing the exact same thing? Though it might look a bit different in each of our lives, it is still the same source of struggle. Though we are confined to our own homes, we are not alone in this trial. 

Count It Joy

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” James 1:2-4

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

Count it all joy. Joy is a word misinterpreted by many. It does not equal happiness, and it does not depend on our circumstances. Though we face trials, yet we rejoice. Why? Because of Jesus. True joy comes from knowing, walking, and resting in Him.

He is Our Hope

Our days don’t look as normal as they did a month ago. To get through this time I think it is important to practice establishing a routine, trying new hobbies, spending extra time getting things checked off your year old to-do list and so on and so forth. All of those things are great things to do, and they definitely have their place to help us keep our sanity. However, those practices cannot serve as our source of hope.

If a vaccine were created tomorrow, would we suddenly have hope? If the economy was re opened, businesses didn’t have to close and those that have feared losing their jobs no longer have to worry- would we then have hope? Is that the answer to all of our problems? No. When all of those things happen, and I pray that they do, one very large problem will still exist – sin. 

My struggle has come from not knowing and understanding what will happen and what should happen. But, my source of joy, hope and encouragement should come from what I do know.

What Do We Know?

  • We know that Christ is victorious. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58)
  • We know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and each of our days were planned by God Himself. (Psalm 139:13-16)
  • We know that all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
  • We know that God is in control. (Psalm 115:3; Proverbs 19:21)
  • We know that God is the creator of the universe and sovereign over all. (Nehemiah 9:6; Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17; Job 42:2)
  • We know that He is good. (Psalm 107:1; Psalm 84:11; Psalm 34:8)
  • We know that He is with us. (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20)
  • We know that our government leaders were established by God. (Romans 13:1-7)
  • We know that nothing can separate us from Him. (Romans 8:38-39)
  • We know that even though we face hard days here, they are not worth comparing to the glory that is to come. (Romans 8:18-25)
  • We know that He is coming again. (Matthew 24:44; 1 Peter 4:7; Revelation 1:7; Philippians 2:9-11)

I pray that during this time when we can so clearly see the frailty of life that we will be reminded of our true source of hope and that we will run and fall fully into the arms of our Father, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

What is your hope placed in? A vaccine for a virus when tomorrow a new sickness could take over your body? Figuring out the right steps our government should take? A financially stable life that tomorrow could be whisked away due to other unforeseen circumstances? Or, is your hope rooted in Christ?

Do you know Him? Do you have that hope? If not, today is a good day to reach out and grasp it.

As reminded by my mom this morning, me figuring this out won’t solve all of our problems. I can watch all of the news I want, but the President won’t be calling me for advice. I can only control so much. So, why don’t we stop worrying about the things we can’t change and rest in the one that controls it all?

Brothers and sisters- lift up your voices and sing. Dance in the midst of the darkness. Rejoice- for our King is alive. Let the world see through us the God that we know, even in the midst of the unknown.

We still have a reason to sing 
The victory has already been secured 
We Walk in His defeat of death 
So let there be dancing in the night 
For Jesus Christ is King 

Post inspired by “Jesus is Alive,” by CityAlight

Posted on

In the Midst of COVID-19

I sat on the floor beneath our apartment window, tears streamed down my face as the phone clicked off. I had been waiting for the coming weekend for 2 months to go home to see my family. Moving away was not something that was easy for me to do. Though only a few hours down the road, my family has a bond that I just can’t quite put into words and distancing myself from them was hard for me. However, I knew that Brannon and I were following where the Lord was leading. We have quickly fallen in love with Montgomery and have started to feel at home here.

Weeks ago we marked our calendar for this weekend- the weekend I would get to go home and see my nephew, who was just starting to scoot around on the floor, eat some of my mom’s cooking, and be under the same roof as my brother and sister again. They were going to meet our new dog for the first time and we were going to lay by the pool Saturday afternoon. When we made these plans, COVID-19 was not yet a household, everyday term.

I realize that many families live with many more miles in between them than mine do. I know that most don’t see each other but during the holidays. I’m aware that one day I might live even further, but for now I’m still adjusting to not being around the corner from them all.

In the midst of the chaos breaking out into our world, my family has discussed many times all that is going on and how we should be taking the virus seriously. We even talked a few days ago about if it were still safe for us to come visit, and at the time we saw that there was no problem. Today when my phone rang I knew that my mom might be calling to tell me differently. With my sister crying in the background we talked about how it might not be the best time right now. Though we’ve all been very careful and tried to practice social distancing as much as possible, the reports just keep getting worse- we didn’t want to put our own family at any greater risk. I knew it was the right thing to do, but it was not an easy decision to make.

I don’t believe that at any other time in my life have I lived where I see the world slowly crumbling around me. Even though my family has walked through difficult days when we lost my dad, and have had some trials since then, never have I looked around and thought to myself “Lord… things look so crazy right now. I’m truly afraid of the fate of our world.” From that place of fear of the unknown, anger that this virus is keeping me from the people I love most and how it is wrecking lives all around me in much greater ways, and sorrowful for all those that are walking through this difficulty in a variety of ways I have 2 things to share:

Psalm 77:11-12 says “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”

  1. Christians, we must not forget who our God is. Yes, things don’t seem very good around us right now. In the time that I have walked this earth I have been afraid of different things, but right now things seem to look worse than ever. Easily, if I allow myself to focus on the ways things look I will allow the problem define who my God is instead of allowing my God to define the problem.Yes, things are not good. Yes, we are in an unprecedented time of uncertainty. Our entire world is facing this trial. BUT, and I put so much emphasis on that but, our God is not any different than he was 3 months ago (Hebrews 13:8.) Coronavirus, though overwhelming to us, is no match to Him. He was not caught off guard, and He has not lost control.We live in a sinful and fallen world- COVID-19 is direct representation of that. As is all sickness and death that we face, they are the result of the world that we live in. They should be of no surprise to us. He tells us in John 16:33 that in this world we WILL have trouble, but to take heart because HE has OVERCOME the world.During these times we must REMEMBER who He is and what His Word says. We must not allow the state of our world, at any time, to allow us to forget His promises. So Christian- remember who your God is. Don’t hang your head in fear- hold it high in the strength of the Lord who is King of all, who even the winds and the waves obey. He has not forgotten us, may we not forget Him. What an incredible opportunity we have right now to show the world that the body of Christ is way more than just a church building.

 

  1. We must take this seriously.I’m not going to get into the details of what is going on with COVID-19, there are plenty of resources for that elsewhere. If you were to have asked me 2 weeks ago how bad I thought this would get I would’ve told you I thought people were overreacting and that this couldn’t be any worse than the common flu. Now, my thoughts are quite different.I am not the one laying in the hospital bed sick or hoping to get a test to know if I have even contracted the virus. I am not out of work (praise God!) and I have food in my pantry. But, I am being kept away from my family. We are choosing to follow the recommendations of those in charge and distance ourselves- even from each other. It Is not easy, but if it’s what we need to do in order to be able to see them for years to come, I think it’s worth it.I know how easy it is to feel invincible, to see the hurt others are experiencing and ache for them but never think that you could be the next victim. Even to this day, 17 years since my dad died, I sometimes cannot wrap my head around how my family was dealt this reality. My dad was a good man who loved the Lord, and my family was a close knit family. But, that did not make us immune to the reality of the world that we live in. It is a world stricken by sin and no person is exempt from that.It’s easy to feel sorry for those around you that are being affected by this, it will be a lot harder when it is your own family. If we don’t take this seriously, I’m afraid soon that will be the case.

 

A final thought: Christian- staying inside and heeding the advice of the professionals does not make you an untrusting Christian. It does not mean that you don’t have true hope in God. I happened upon this article the other day. Though it is directed to churches in general, I think it can go beyond that to the individual christian. I will not go into the detail that it discusses in full, but if you are struggling it is a good resource to look over.

Friends, please stay inside and take seriously what is going on in our world right now.

And believers, speak often of the hope you have in Christ in the midst of this storm- He still sits enthroned and we still have a reason to sing!