What a bizarre moment in history we are living in. It’s truly amazing how quickly things can change, really humbling and eye-opening to be reminded how little control we actually have. Feelings of helplessness and fear try to creep in as we see so many people experiencing loss and being impacted by the coronavirus.
The only other time in my life I can remember where I felt utterly helpless, as if I had no control at all, was during an Oklahoma tornado. Those from Tornado Alley know well how frightening and small a tornado can make you feel. Fortunately, as this particular one rolled through the Oklahoma plains toward our house, I was able to get down into a storm shelter before it hit. The tornado passed overhead, with the most jarring, vicious sounds, as if hundreds of trains were blazing by directly on top of us. It seemed as if the earth around us was in complete chaos. And much chaos it wreaked. Neighborhoods were unrecognizable. It was like a bomb was dropped. Lives were changed forever.
During those moments the tornado passed by, even while in relative safety below ground, I was hit with just how small I really am. How little control I actually have. As a believer, I admit that in that moment my faith was challenged as I struggled to not let fear get the best of me. With my sense of control gone, whatever faith I had in God was all I could hold on to. That’s somehow a terrible and wonderful feeling all at the same time.
It really is amazing how as humans we can live most of our lives in denial of how little control we really have. We spend a majority of our time simply trying to manipulate our surroundings, striving to create a little world for ourselves that feels comfortable, safe and secure. Not that there is anything wrong with wanting to be safe and secure. Yet, I wonder if much of this is simply an illusion we have created. All it takes is one tragedy, one natural disaster, one pandemic, to shake our foundation and reveal how much really is outside of our grasp of control. Even as believers it’s easy to express faith in God, yet build our foundation on things like money, comfort, education, social status, the government, or whatever else you put your hope in. But when that tornado is ripping apart the earth above you, or a pandemic threatens to shut the world down or take a loved one, you quickly realize those things you’ve relied on don’t help you much at all.
This is nothing new...
Throughout history people have attempted to build their foundation on things that do not last. Things that are not eternal, such as money or power or false comforts. Even 2000 years ago when Jesus walked the earth He addressed such matters. And in His kindness and love for us He encouraged us to trust in Him, saying:
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7: 24-27).
Where we build our foundation of trust and hope matters. It will either sustain us through “the floods that come” or will prove unreliable and cause us to fall apart. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to fall apart during this uncertainty in the world right now. God tells us that even though the “winds” of coronavirus are beating against the house, He is the solid rock that will keep us from crumbling. Fear, panic and anxiety do not have to overcome us. There is One much greater than the coronavirus, and He tells us to build our foundation on Him.
I certainly do not intend to diminish what the virus has done and how it has impacted people. Denial is not helpful. It is heartbreaking to see people suffer. Real people are really hurting. And people are dying. We should be filled with compassion and do what we can to support by praying and serving however God leads. The virus should be taken seriously. We should follow the precautions of medical professionals and do our part to help create a safe environment. This situation should not be minimized or overlooked. And let’s be thankful for those working on the front lines, putting themselves at risk to serve the sick. Some have even lost their lives trying to save others. Pray for them as they endure and witness to this remarkably challenging situation. We do not take any of this lightly.
However, in the midst of this pandemic, have you stopped to also consider how the enemy, Satan himself, would love to use this to overwhelm us with fear, to create turmoil, a sense of chaos and helplessness…how he would love nothing more than to spread a spiritual “virus” as well, one of despair, hopelessness and horror.
As believers, the great hope we have is that there is nothing, absolutely nothing in all the Earth, that can separate us from the love God has for us. Death does not win. Coronavirus does not win. He is greater and has already overcome it all. After all, He did raise up from the dead, and in doing so He told death, “you have neither power over Me nor those who put their trust in Me.” As a believer, this is the amazing hope that we have. We win. We live. No matter what. So even when these bodies of ours breathe their last breath, the enemy doesn’t win. We live on, with our loving God.
This hope is not some flimsy, feeble idea that just sounds good. And it’s not just some future hope for after we leave this life. No, this hope is for here and now. This hope in God is intended to be an anchor for our soul in the most difficult of times. He is with us now, fighting for us now. When the floods come. When the virus has the world in disarray. This hope should be solid and firm, a spiritual reality that is more real to us than the physical things of this world. The Scriptures tell us, “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Our greatest battle in all of this is not with the coronavirus itself, but with the spiritual forces wanting to bring darkness and evil through it.
So, the question I’m asking myself right now, and the one I challenge you with as well is this: What is more real to you? What is your reality? The feelings of fear, the chaos, the physical things you see with your eyes. Or is it the spiritual realm, the Truth of God’s love, that He is greater and still in control? That He wins? Of course, coronavirus is a real thing that is happening, yet is it overtaking your faith, becoming greater in your eyes than God and His promises?
It’s ok to hurt. It’s ok to mourn. It’s ok to cry about what’s going on around us. Sickness and death are so painful. And deep down we know, as humans, these things are not meant to have the final say. We have “eternity written in our hearts.” We know within us we were made to live forever.
Jesus felt pain...
He felt sorrow. And experienced deep anguish. One of the more well-known stories of the Bible is of Jesus raising His friend Lazarus from the dead. What people often do not realize, however, is that just before raising Lazarus from the dead, we are told that “Jesus wept.” He wept. Those two words, "Jesus wept," make up the shortest verse in the Bible, yet one of the most powerful. Jesus was heartbroken over the death of His dear friend. He was heartbroken over the pain the family members were experiencing. So, He wept with them. And He weeps with those who are suffering right now. Know that when you hurt, He also hurts. He is not afraid or ashamed of your tears.
However, in the story we find that although Jesus wept, He didn’t allow the suffering to overcome Him. His foundation was built on something far greater. In this more glamorous part of the Lazarus story, Jesus then raised His friend from the dead. And He will raise us too. He gets down low, right alongside us in the place of our hurt, and then He lifts us up as only He can do. Both now, when we are struggling emotionally and spiritually, confused about the traumatic events around us, and ultimately whenever the time comes for each of us who trust in Him to leave this life to be with Him.
We don’t have to pretend we never suffer, yet we don’t have to let it have the last word either. Through faith, we can remember that God gets the last word. Coronavirus and all the uncertainties that come with it, do not have the final say. Jesus overcame it at the cross, along with all forms of sickness, sin and death. Even though it may not seem like it now, coronavirus is still subject to Him, not the other way around. It must bow to Him. We do have a choice in what we will believe in and bow at the altar of. Will we give our devotion to fear, panic and the chaos around us? Or will we give our devotion to God’s faithfulness and goodness?
Do you remember the story of Jesus at sea with his disciples during a terrible storm that threatened to sink their ship and kill them all? Well, as the storm raged, Jesus was actually taking a nap, apparently snoozing away, blissfully undaunted by the ensuing storm. However, in panic, overcome with fear, His disciples awoke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Apparently unphased, Jesus got up, “rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Terrified they asked one another, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:35-41). I want to put my trust in the One who can calm the storms going on around us and within us. He is not phased or unafraid at what is transpiring.
We need greater faith in all of this, and faith comes from the Word...and He is the Word. We need faith that is built upon Him, the rock, the Word of life. The One who is greater than a pandemic. Mightier than a tornado above. The One who told the wind and waves to be still. Who parted the sea. Who told the oceans where to form. Who commands the sun to shine.
Through all of this pandemic, God is still good. Your foundation may be shaking right now, yet He will remove what is not truly giving you security and protection, those false comforts, and establish you firmly in Himself. And you will stand firm, able to endure the winds and rains that come because your house is being built on solid ground.
You have a choice...
No matter what, you can choose what you give your utmost devotion and attention to. And you can choose what you trust in. God has given you authority over any chaos the enemy throws your way. Take back any authority you might have given to fear or unbelief. You are an heir to the King. Royalty in His Kingdom. Don’t diminish your role in Him or your authority in Him. Exercise your heavenly, life-giving authority in the midst of everything going on. Here are some promises of God that are available to you in the midst what’s happening around us. These are not just nice sayings or fluffy, feel-good words. These are His words of Truth and life. To sustain you. To protect you. To give you peace beyond understanding. To calm your storms. Even when there is chaos all around, you will find the only foundation that will truly hold firm.
· “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28).
· “God’s love and goodness will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6)
· “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa. 26:3).
· “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3: 6-7).
· “For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but one of power, of love and of sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
· “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7).
· “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).
· “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
· “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Neh. 1:7)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).
Comments