There’s so much going on now that it’s easy to get lost in a sea of fear and panic, particularly with the deluge of unanswered questions and uncomfortable silence.
Cities and nations seem to be running helter skelter trying to find a way out, a cure, a solution for a pandemic no one expected.
It is in seasons like this that we need to hold on to our hope more than ever before. We need to hold on to our anchor so we are not carried away by the vicious cycle of fear.
Every day seems to be another doze of bad news and we may be wondering:
where is God in all this? How do I remain faithful and hopeful when the onslaught of the coronavirus makes this impossible?
These are important questions and you will definitely not be the first to ask.
I remember once reading about diseases that had wiped out populations and cities centuries ago: the era of small pox, measles and even malaria. In a lot of ways, today’s world had seemed safe.
Beyond the brief scare of Ebola in 2015, we have not had anything even close to this virus in the last 50years.
Without getting caught in the ‘why’s or how’s, I want to encourage you not to get sucked into the hysteria. You may be in the part of the world where the reality of this disease is felt every day: enforced isolation, limited foodstuffs and fear for loved ones but don’t give up or give in to the anxiety.
When we face these life and death situations, we must make a choice on how we want to act. Do we react like the rest of the world or find out what God is saying? The answer is clear but hard in practice.
Henry Blackaby says that as Christians, we should not blame God or doubt his love but should go to him to get his perspective on the matter:
“We cannot know the truth of our circumstances until we have heard from God.”
Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God
This is so important and has helped me over the last few days. Whatever I face cannot be understood without Jesus. I always need His perspective because He is ‘the way, the truth and the life’.
It is in Him that we can fully make sense of what we are going through.
This also means we need to build up our hope in this season. A hope that sees beyond the problem but looks to the One who saves.
How to find hope in a hopeless situation
Here are a few ways to find hope in a hopeless situation. Be encouraged!
Rejoice always
One of our weapons as Christians is praise. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18 the apostle Paul encouraged the church to “rejoice always…in everything give thanks for this is the will of the father through Christ Jesus.”
This is not a call to rejoice sometimes but every time.
The psalmist said:
“I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.”
Psalms 16:7-9 NLT
Let this scripture inspire to spend more time praising God than worrying about your situation.
When we rejoice, we move our focus from the problem/circumstance/challenge to God.
We focus on who He is and what He can do.
This changes our perspective and helps us remember that nothing is too big for God.
“With God all things are possible”
Rejoice in his mighty power and build up your storehouse of hope and faith in him.
Pray
Prayer is a powerful weapon to build up our hope and help us in trying situations. We commune with God through prayer and seek his face over our situation.
“Pray without ceasing”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
While prayer is something we must continually do, this is even more important in seasons of tribulations.
Don’t let fear or worry stop you from praying. Don’t get weighed down by the complexity of the problem but take it to God and allow him do what only he can do.
Remember that prayer connects us to God and helps us draw down the resources of heaven.
Jesus taught us to pray thus:
‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”
Matthew 6:10
Pray that God takes absolute control.
Pray that he strengthens you this season. More so, that he uses you to encourage others who may be lost in this season. Especially unbelievers who have lost all hope.
Let God reflect his light through you.
Find Hope in God’s Word
You need to continually dip yourself in the word of God.
‘The word of the lord is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105
What better way to know the heart of the father than through His word. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will and plans for you, your family, and your community this season. Remember that as a child of God, you can stand in the gap for those connected with you.
Let the word of God encourage your heart and remind you of all the incredible things our God is willing and able to do for those who trust in Him.
“Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.”
Psalms 119:49-50 NLT
Trust Absolutely
Everything I have said would be incomplete if you do not trust that God can do it!
As you rejoice and pray, you also need to trust that God will keep to his promises. That he will do what he has revealed to you during your time of worship and prayer.
You need to trust that he can give you his peace that passes all understanding in this season. We can not just say it but have to believe it.
Trust is an absolute word.
Trust that God loves you and has good plans for you, whatever they may be. Trust that each trial you face will be an opportunity for the world to see God at work in your life. To see His miraculous hand and his saving grace.
Don’t give up! Trust!
My prayer for you
Sis, in this season of loss and pandemonium, I pray you remain centered in Christ. He is indeed your rock and your hiding place. May his peace which passes all understanding dwell richly in you.
May His joy bubble forth from the well within your soul. May you continually praise Him as you trust in His word and His promises.
I pray you cleave to His strength. That you do not try to go it alone but stand firm on our lord and the manifestation of his power.
May God direct and guide you in this season and beyond. May He give you strength to obey His words and wisdom to discern how you must act.
I pray that you shall continually testify of the goodness of our God in the land of the living.
Amen
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