“I’m reading or watching the news and I’m really scared!”
“I’m frustrated with this whole COVID thing and how it’s making life needlessly complicated and stressful!”
“I found the lock-down time to be really fulfilling, as it gave me an incredible opportunity to pause and level-set my priorities, connect more deeply with my family and I caught up on some major house projects!”
These are some of the reactions I’ve heard as they relate to COVID and its impact in our daily living. For myself, I’d have to say I’ve experienced all of these reactions over the recent months, depending on the day. So maybe it would be helpful to look at each reaction and see how Jesus might reply.
For starters, fear is a universal human constant. Some of us navigate it with a little grace and it doesn’t seem to the controlling factor in our decisions and daily living, in general. On the other side, some of us live with fear as one of the deciding factors in our lives. Fear makes financial, employment, relationship, health, education and even identity decisions for us. The COVID crisis only serves to accentuate fear for some people, tempting them to live in perpetual lockdown and isolation.
I would suggest that Jesus never intends for us to be dominated nor controlled by fear and I say this with some Bible verses to consider, as a possible antidote to fear. Consider memorizing these verses, if fear is too strong in your life. By memorizing them, you can have an answer to fear when it requests or demands your attention.
2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
1 John 4:18a, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. . . .”
When you find yourself frustrated with the COVID situation, I’ve found some things to be helpful:
- Consider a short pause to acknowledge the frustration, inconveniences, added stress, etc.
- In the pause, think about what things are in your power to adjust and what things you have no power to control or influence.
Consider memorizing these verses to help, when you feel frustrated:
Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
2 Chronicles 20:12b, “. . . For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
When you are fulfilled in this COVID season, experiencing satisfaction, peace, contentment and equanimity, this is a really awesome opportunity to express praise, worship and gratitude to God! Here are some verses that might help you express your gratitude and worship to God:
Psalm 136:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Exodus 15:13, “With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.”
No matter what you’re feeling or experiencing at this time, as you read this blog, I pray that you would sense God’s deep and steady love flowing into your heart and breathing life into your soul! Feel free to share this on your social media outlets, as I suspect you might know some people who could be helped and encouraged from reading this blog.
