Getting through the rest of this year is requiring some mental, emotional and spiritual toughness. I am a planner. I like to have goals at the beginning of the year and map out a strategy to achieve them. I like to plan vacation time months in advance. I love a list and checking things off of it. So, needless to say, this year has taken all of my plans and thrown them out the window.
I love peace and organization. Every personality test I take says that exact phrase about me. I always think, I did not need a personality test to tell me this. It is so core to who I am. I like people to get along. I don't like conflict. I like unity. This year has taken peace and order and stomped them to pieces.
I like to see God at work. I like to see people gather together to worship. I like meeting new people at church, hearing their story and seeing God work in their lives. It is hard to see the tangible work of God right now. I just have to trust and know that just because I don't see God at work does not mean He is not working. (2 Cor 5:7)
I just have to trust and know that just because I don't see God at work does not mean He is not working.
I hate to admit it but it is so easy to feel lonely and forgotten right now. I have to be intentional at connecting with others. I don't naturally see so many friends that are dear to me. It allows Satan's lies to easily slip into my head and make me feel insecure and alone.
So many of you are going through so much more than I am. There is so much loss right now. Loss of moments and memories. Loss of connection. Financial loss. Some have even lost a loved one or friend. Maybe you can relate.
I know so many of you are feeling some of the same emotions that I am. I know fear, depression and anxiety are at an all time high. It is so easy to think that you have to hide these emotions because we are Christians after all, shouldn't we have it all together? It's ok to be honest about where you really are emotionally, mentally and spiritually and ask for help if you need it. Even a phone call to a friend can make a huge difference during this time.
All of this reminds me of the story of Job in the Bible. Job (pronounced "Jobe") was a man that God and Satan had a contest over in the Old Testament. Basically, Satan thought Job only loved God because God had blessed Job. God said "you can test Job and you will find that Job will remain faithful to me".
So Satan destroyed all of Job's property, riches and even... killed his children. (We thought this year was bad).
Still, Job remained faithful. Satan then sends boils (think giant pimples all over your body) to Job and attacks his health. If that wasn't bad enough, Job's friends and even his wife falsely accuse Job of sinful behavior resulting in all of this misfortune.
But...Job still refuses to curse God and remains faithful. Because of Job's faithfulness, God gives back to Job seven times the riches and children that Satan had taken from him.
Why am I sharing all of this with you? Because we all see Job as a great man of God and He is. But, if you read his story, you see a man that is angry, upset, depressed, anxious, lonely and grieving. The only thing that Job did was not give up and keep his faith in God. He just remained faithful! Sometimes the victory is just getting up and putting one foot in front of the other.
Sometimes the victory is just getting up and putting one foot in front of the other.
It is ok if you are struggling.
It is ok that you experience all of these emotions.
It is natural.
What is going on in this world is hard, depressing, and even scary.
What we can't do is give up! We have to keep going. We have to press on. We have to trust God that He has a plan. We must remain faithful. We can't lose our faith in God.
The best part is that we have a God who doesn't condemn the weary and burdened. He promises to comfort them and give them rest! (Matt 11:28) Our God isn't far away. He is close. He wants to take you into His loving arms and give you rest. All you have to do is come to Him. He is waiting for you.
Cure for the COVID Blues:
1) Don't give up! Keep walking
2) Remember God is still in control
3) Trust God
4) Find rest in God's presence
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Is 40:31