Some days I amaze myself. Other days, I catch myself putting my keys in the fridge… Wanna guess which today was?

In all seriousness, this whole quarantine has got me off my game. It’s like I’ve been riding this rollercoaster of emotional ups-and-downs. It’s safe to say my mood has been a little more… um, fragile?… lately. I’ve gone from being calm one sec to losing it the next. (Nothing like midweek meltdown #3!)

But here’s the thing:

  • We’re in the middle of a world crisis. 

  • We’ve lost our sense of normalcy. 

  • And our routines & relationships are drastically changing.

So I’m realizing I *mightt* need to give myself some grace here; it’s okay to not be 100 right now—most of us aren’t anyway.

Let’s be real. So much is happening. And with it comes a wide range of emotions. We may be feeling…

Lonely. Fearful. Anxious. Bored. Vulnerable. Disappointed. Distant. Frustrated. Bitter. Insecure. Overwhelmed. Worried. Frightened. Sensitive. Isolated. Empty. Annoyed. Infuriated. Withdrawn. 

The. List. Goes. On.

And if you’re anything like me, you’re probably experiencing a combo of these on the daily.

Yet that doesn’t mean we can’t have peace. Because the Lord is actively working, even in chaos and times of uncertainty. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…”. 

This verse highlights two essentials of God’s character: He is both omnipotent and omnipresent. Omnipotent, meaning He is all-powerful. And omnipresent, meaning present everywhere. That’s one of the things I love most about God. He’s in the nitty-gritty details of our lives; He doesn’t tower above. Not to mention, He’s also omniscient—and sees the past, present, and future…

So let this put your heart at ease: knowing our Heavenly Father is in control, is here with us, and knows literally everything. 

Because that’s encouragement we can rest in. And despite the lows over the last few weeks, I’m finding these truths to be slowly washing over me and my anxieties.

Now. That’s not to downplay stress entirely. Because there are times we can (and will) definitely feel the weight of this world. And for many, this current situation is one of them.

Thankfully, we’re not battling anything new. Jesus knows what we’re encountering. 

Because he experienced these things too… think back to the Garden of Gethsemane: “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Many scholars believe this passage to suggest Jesus was actually perspiring blood. THAT is the level of stress he was facing, knowing he was about to be crucified. And yet we see him seeking strength to endure it.

Although he suffered far beyond what we ever will, we’re given a model on how to handle our tough situations: by running to the Father earnestly and in prayer. Bringing all that fear, pain, and anxiety to His feet. Matthew 11:28 says, “‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’”. 

Even in the midst of COVID-19. Even when we’re stuck in quarantine. Even if we feel like our world is falling apart, there is HOPE. And not some distant far-off feeling that everything will eventually be okay… But rather, a hope in His promises that will bring us a deeply-rooted sense of peace.

VERSES TO MEDITATE ON:

  • “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

  • “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified… for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

  • “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” (Psalm 46:1)

  • “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

  • “‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28)

  • “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” (Psalm 73:26)

  • “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

ORIGINAL POST from This Little Heart of Mine

This article was contributed by Natalie Ann. Natalie is a teacher and occasional blogger on her Christian Lifestyle blog  “This Little Heart of Mine.” 

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July 25, 2020