Seven lessons that I believe God wants to teach us...with or without the Current Events...
The entire world is experiencing a global pandemic. With the Co-Vir sweeping over the country of Serbia, where I live, life is changing on a daily basis. Every person on the planet has their own version of how life is changing. They also have disappointments, fears, concerns…and blessings; even if they can’t see them.
I’ve personally struggled with wanting to help “fix” many of these hurts and concerns…wanting to make things easy for people…it’s just like my flesh to want to control and try to be “God”. I have to admit that I’ve been surprised how deep this desire of controlling life has taken root in my heart. And if you will let me be presumptuous for a minute, I bet you are also struggling with some things.
God is up to something in all this chaos. I pray that each of us can open our eyes to the sin that is very likely to seep out during this time of being put under pressure. The frustration that is showing it’s face when the kids fight while you are trying to learn this whole homeschool thing is so heavy right now, yet it is not of the Lord. Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Hang in there, dear mama. Take a deep breath, walk away, call it a day, play a game, turn on a movie…just don’t grow weary, don’t give up. This too shall pass.
The desire to make things easy for our children by giving them what they want, rather than what the Lord wants from them is trying to take the place of God. There are so many situations around me that I want to change to my will. But my deepest desire is to follow the example of Jesus from Luke 22:42, when he says, “yet not my will, but yours be done”. He is working something bigger than any of us can understand. Habakkuk 1:5 says, “Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Goodness isn’t that the truth!
The constant worry over food, finances, and comfort is not a fruit of the spirit. We have promises all throughout scripture that we can hold onto. Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
If we could embrace this time, allow the Lord to refine our hearts, and learn to trust the Lord in a more intimate and deeper way, HE will get the glory in this situation. Let’s rise to the occasion, church!
Some things I believe the Lord would like to teach all of us…with or without the Coronavirus.
1. We are not in control. We think we are. We live like we are. In the core of our belief system, we have been taught that “you can be anything you want to be…you control the destiny of your life.” This is a falsehood, and I believe a lie that the enemy WANTS us to believe so that we function on a place of self-reliance, rather than placing all of our trust and hope in the Lord. God wants to teach us this truth. He is the One in control.
2. Laughter is good medicine. The Scripture tells us this Proverbs 17:22. The swing of emotions surrounding the news is intense. I think the Father wants us to learn to laugh. And we can laugh if we have our hope placed in Him. Proverbs 31:25 has always been one of my favorite parts of the Proverbs 31 woman. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” She can laugh because she KNOWS who controls the days to come. She is not fearful, because she believes that perfect love casts out all fears. God wants us to teach us this truth. He is the One in control.
3. Be grateful and count your blessings. They are there. You can focus on all the things you don’t have or will not experience, and your energy and hope will be sapped. Or you can learn to count your blessings and have a grateful heart. Thanksgiving is the key to a grateful heart. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). God wants to teach us to be grateful. He is the One in control.
4. We are not victims. In Christ, we are victors. He has overcome through the work on the cross. He has overcome sin and death and the Coronavirus. Don’t live life as a victim! Live life in a way that calls others to the Lord; through His power, you can display the fruits of the spirit (Ephesians 5: 22-23). People need to see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control … lived out in a real way during these times. Live in a way that says “I am free” …from worry, fear, guilt, shame, and sin…because if you are in Christ, you ARE free and victorious! 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” God wants to show us we are victorious. He is the One in control.
5. Take your thoughts captive. Do you remember that scripture? “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). That truth even applies to a worldwide pandemic! We have to take our thoughts of fears, anxieties, and worries captive and obey Christ when He tells us NOT to worry. He clearly explains to us that His ways are not our ways nor are His thoughts our thoughts (Isiah 55:8-9). God wants to teach us how to live in His strength. He is the One in control.
6. “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). God is giving His people a chance to grow in our faith. Don’t waste that. Allow Him to stretch you and your faith. Watch in awe as He strengthens the faith of your children. Count it joy. God wants to teach us to be joyful, even in trails. He is the One in control.
7. Open your eyes to the things in life that really matter. Use this time to unplug, enjoy family, take up a hobby, read a book, and spend time with the Lord. Don’t be like me and spend even more time reading the latest corona news. I’ve maxed out my screen time way earlier over the past week. I’ve had to learn to put it down, fast from screens and train my mind in the truths of the Lord. His ways are right and good. “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes” (Psalm 19:8). If I am feeling down in the dumps or heavy of heart, I must train my mind to refocus my eyes on the truths of the Lord and His goodness. God wants to teach us to look to Him. He is the One in control.
Over the next few days, weeks, and months, there is going to be a lot of changes. We can no longer look to a government, finances, or our own understanding to journey through this season with peace and joy in our hearts. However, our foundation is built on a rock that is unmovable. Our hope is found in the Lord and in the Lord alone. God is in control and He’s got this!
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