by Rebekah RodriguezAs someone who struggles with intense anxiety, the sense of panic that the world feels right now is similar to everything I feel daily. My brain goes “worst-case scenario” so often, and I frequently want to cancel events or not attend for fear that something humiliating or life-altering might happen.
But I let God’s promises echo in my heart, and that fixes so much.
You see, the Bible is full of instances where the impossible was supposed to be done, the people were underqualified, the circumstances were insurmountable—BUT GOD SHOWED UP.
The Bible is also completely void of times that God was like “you know what? Hard pass! Can’t do it! I’mma head out!” If that consistency doesn’t give you peace, then you haven’t properly digested it.
As you worry about getting food, toilet paper, etc- remember Luke 12:29-31:
“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” ~ Luke 12:29-31
In short, God’s got you! He did not choose this moment and this pandemic to forsake you. God’s not a quitter, and HE WILL PROVIDE. Put your trust in Him. Did we want more time for Him? Well, now we have more time and pursuing His kingdom will bear blessings into your life that you are not even expecting. Maybe it was put on your heart lately that you need to talk more scripture with your kids (or in my case, my siblings), now you have time! These weeks are not for panic, not for countless hours of television, but maybe they’re about redefining the planet as we stand now.
What if we made the radical decision to praise God, pray, and let kids see us do that? What if we turned off the tv and turned on the creativity inside us that’s begging to come out? And what if, instead of watching the news and dissolving in fear, we turned to Him and allowed ourselves to become wrapped in love?
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him…. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. ~1 John 3:16 & 18
God did not call us to be fearful. He wants to use this time to show you how loved you are!! And here’s another-
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22
God is good. In the daily, in the pandemic, in the storm, in the famine. God is always good, and He wants what’s best for you. He wants to wrap you in His arms. He wants to use you for more than freaking out over toilet paper and falling into the panic that this world is beckoning you towards.
Choose Him. Choose love. And let Him use you to change the world now and for future generations, and after this is all over, let Him continue to change you. Listen to His voice, trust His word, and give the control to Him.
