Jeremiah 23:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of welfare and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 23:3 He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
We each have a different journey from anyone else. Some of our experiences are similar—an occasion that you and a sibling or close friend shared. You shared the same event but your perception may be slightly different than the other’s. We see slightly different, hear a slightly different version. Age, perspective, beliefs, and so much more go into making an interpretation of a situation. It’s funny to listen to someone who shared an event with you, but the telling is a bit different than your memory. Sometimes, it can be entirely different, which can be daunting and make you really question how and why the differences are so great.
I can’t imagine going through my life not believing and knowing that God is alive, in control, and He has me protected and I am loved. Words like coincidence, karma, and luck are used, and I am taken aback that these people do not believe that God’s guiding hand, comforting hand and direction are involved. Yet there are several people in my life who do not believe in God, and some of these folks are family. We had the same basic experiences. I certainly left the church I was raised in, but I am totally involved in my relationship with God. And am thankful I looked around until I found a biblical teaching church. I want one where the Bible is taught, and there is no “political correctness.” God spoke, and what He said then was true, as it is true today. He hasn’t changed His mind.
I know I have made some very poor decisions when I have not contacted Him and sought His will. Some I am still experiencing. But I have a need, a dependency to seek Him before moving now. I don’t want to disappoint or certainly not disobey, and I have learned my life is abundantly blessed if I live according to His guidance and direction. And again, we each develop our own relationship with God, or not. Some have a deep and long lasting need for God, while others mark time with an occasional church attendance, and still others deny there is a Creator. I have difficulty understanding how anyone can not believe in my Creator. I don’t understand how we can all see the beauty of this world and yet not believe in God.
God is love, and that is what He shows us with the beauty of each day, with seeing His lovely bits of nature, His incredible animal creations, His lovely skies, and on and on. He wants us to love Him, but He wants us to love each other, including ourselves.
I feel sad that so many go about their days thinking and believing they are totally in control and don’t know God is just waiting them to reach out and ask HIm in. And once you do, certainly, I am not saying there will be no stressful times, you won’t have painful and miserable, difficult times. Everyone has those, believers and non-believers. But believers know they are not alone, and realize that God has the issue, He’s in control and is there to guide. One still has the frustrations, hurts, confusion, losses, etc. God asks for your trust and He will get you through. And it may NOT be in the manner you wanted, but it will still work out for you. I am not saying there will be no pain or suffering; there may be. But, for believers, the burden feels less heavy and cumbersome knowing we have the Creator to help.
Maybe because we were made in His image, we really believe we have as much power as God. (However, I do believe that is how Satan and his arrogance was thrown down from heaven. Satan thought he was a good and mighty God….God showed him otherwise.) But we, as did all of man including the ancient Israelites, at times we think we are in control, we have it all figured out….That is not how I want to live again. I want to seek Him first, see what His will is and then move forward. I have (hopefully) truly learned and ingrained the lesson of not waiting on Him and His will for me.
God wants us fully IN, not marking time going to church service and volunteering once in a while. He wants our hearts to be full of love, FULL, and to show that. I know that, yet I don’t always act it, and sometimes don’t feel it. I’ll be too wrapped in my own thoughts and self-centeredness.
So, for me, it’s a daily prayer…’please, God, help me to be full of love and grace toward others. Help me show all who You are by loving actions, deeds, and words. Let me shine Your light. Let me do for others so they can see You through me.’
You are my light and I am so thankful for You and what You have done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Psalm 34:4,6 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (6) This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. But a good word makes it glad.
Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
During this time of confinement to our homes, I have been watching some inspirational movies. Most I have seen before, but enjoyed re-watching. I watched” the War Room,” “Fireproof,” and “Heaven is Real.” I love to watch movies where people have struggles and then come to God. Our lives are at times a struggle. We may have self or family illness, high bills that are a struggle and a surprise and may cause a lot of anxiety, perhaps you are in a struggling relationship causing arguments and stress, or other life occurrences. We all have things going on we are concerned with, thankful about, or areas that could lead us to fret and become anxious if we did not remember that God is always with us.
This is a stressful time right now with the Corona Virus, differing opinions as to how long the segregation will last, worry about where to go, frustrations that there is not the freedom to meet for lunch, go someplace social to be with friends and share times. Remember when we were younger and told ‘no, you can’t do…’ then we always want to do whatever it is we have been told not to do. I feel some of the stress we have from this segregation is like that. Because we CAN’T, we want to more that when we are free to move about.
I must say I am grateful our technology is where it is and we can get the news. (I refuse to listen to this all day, but gather early AM and rare PM news about the status) I believe we can more embroiled and wound up about listening to the repetition of the news reels. It keeps our minds on stressful subjects—the number ill, the number dead, the projection of illness from the experts knowing how illness spreads. We do the same thing while waiting for a hurricane—we keep listening to projections, the speed at which it is moving, the expected projection of landfall, the category and suspected amount of damage; all of which helps one prepare, but to concentrate and listen to the news, causes our stress levels to raise. We get anxious, gather what we think we will need and make plans to leave. So, asmuch as I appreciate the technology available to us, I also believe the media enjoys the stress of putting out news that while warning us, also increases our apprehension. And of course, that makes us fearful….and one of the most frequent commands in the Bible is, “Do not fear, for I, the Lord am with you.”
The news while beneficial in small snippets is a great tool for the devil to cause unrest, anxiety and fear. Certainly, we need to information to make informed decisions. But the continuous stressful stories that appear often throughout the day, are going against God’s desires for us to not have anxiety and to trust Him. That does not mean to ignore the news. It means to not saturate your home and area with it. Hearing it repeatedly is unnecessary, and you do not need to hear each and every comment. Learn your information, remind yourself that God is in charge, and then do what you have to do to prepare, but no fear, no panic. We dishonor God and show Him mistrust by fearing whatever the news subject is. Do yourself a favor; do not saturate your minds with bad, tense-causing news.
This time will be temporary, and will help eradicate the virus, but in the meantime, we have to spend time in prayer, listen to His response, and for me, it helps to immerse myself in classes—bible studies, other courses of study in areas of interest, watching some inspirational movies, and being thankful I know Jesus, and I don’t have fear over this new way of life. It’s temporary. I have wondered though that since we are told that we will face natural disasters, wars, and so forth, if this is not a new and different war that we had not considered.
So, I pray that we all try to be patient and find enjoyable things we enjoy doing, or start tackling some of those big house projects we have listed. This can be a productive time, and once the project is finished, a time of satisfaction. Trust in God. He’s got this.
Lord, I know You have this, and the world will get through this time of pandemic and illness. I thank You for leading and guiding me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Joshua 24:15 …..But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Matthew 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to b served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Galatians 5:13 For you brethren have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
I never associated different catastrophic illness and pandemics as a war zone. But truly, they were, and this is. This war can be won with less death and in less time if we follow the advice of learned men and women who have a better understanding of illness spread, the abilities of this virus, and the compliance of people. But it needs to be all that follow these rules for maintaining segregation. No one is immune to contracting this virus, and all are capable of spreading it. Following this segregation and maintaining these social distances will defeat this vicious virus, but it means compliance.
I find it sad and appalling the numbers of people you see who are not following the guidelines. Do you really think you and yours are invincible? What happens when it brings your family member(s) down? Then it would be too late to be compliant.
The not following of these social guidelines is like the persons who are not following God’s laws. These folks apparently have no use for the first three commandments which state God is number one and if you have other things/persons/yourself in first place, that is not following the commandment.
God wants our obedience and love. He doesn’t want disobedience and self-love. Just as God’s rules are designed for our benefit, for our good, the rules for segregation and social distancing are also for our good, our health, and to stop the spread.
This is a war. We are fighting a basically unseen enemy since none of us runs around with a microscope. You have no idea who may have the virus and have just not become ill yet, or if someone coughed, touched something you later touch and the virus is present. Why is it so hard for people to follow rules?
It is because we are a hard-headed, stubborn and self-centered, selfish bunch. The bible is FULL of stories telling of disobedient peoples and then God’s anger and punishment for a period of time. The consequences of disobedience can be nasty. And disobeying the social distancing can be the reason some die. I, for one, would hate to feel by my disobedience, my carelessness; I was responsible for someone getting ill. My daughter is a nurse and has said, “Mom, this is the nastiest, and worst thing I’ve ever seen.” This is an experienced ICU nurse who has seen a lot of pain, illness and suffering in her 16 years as a nurse. Our selfishness has caused punishment since the first sin committed in the garden.
Just because we are not under martial law to maintain social segregation, we are given the liberty to choose. And in love, you should choose to protect others, even if you believe yourself invincible. And realize the fighting on the front lines will feel a lot of relief once this virus is being defeated. These folks are warriors fighting fiercely to keep alive those they can. Help them out.
Like all wars, there are those in charge. God is the ultimate Commander, but He has men and women who have knowledge and education who share their education, experience, and wisdom to lead the “troops.” And we are the soldiers. The frontline consists of medical, paramedics, grocery workers, pharmacists, and all the others who are maintaining the workforce to ensure we have what we need. It is insulting to them that some think social distancing is not a mandate for them..
How selfish that is, and I find myself becoming angry with them, and have to consciously push it down, because I know God handles all. He will deal with those have those…He has promised judgment is His. This time of segregating will pass. How can it not be worth it to be a part of cheering on all those frontline workers who place themselves as caregivers, in ALL the capacities they serve—cashiering, nursing, medical, fire and police, military, and the many restaurants who are serving and preparing food for the less fortunate. Be someone who is following these cautions and trying t keep yourself and others safe.
God, You know I can be disobedient…..often…but help us all to follow segregation pleas. I praise You and ask to protect all those fighting. For me and ‘mybellaviews,’ I choose to follow You.
Proverbs 8:32,33 For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.
Isaiah 25:8,9 He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. (9) And it will be said in that day; “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lor; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
John 11:25,26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection an the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
As a child, I believed the painted domed ceiling of our church showing Jesus gazing down at us with peace and love, was truly Him. It was at times comforting, and at others, when I knew I had been a brat, it was daunting and scary as I felt there was no place to hide. Even though my parents had not yet caught up with my disobedience, I knew, and knew enough to know that Jesus looking down knew. No place to hide. Those times sitting in the hard wooden pew, increased the squirming much more than normal.
As I am writing this, we are all dealing with the beast named COVID-19. This is a new and different experience we have ever dealt with, and it can be scary. Yet, I am not nervous of this beast. I know Jesus defeated death, and although I will practice precautions, and not expose myself or others unduly, I know that Jesus has me. He has already died so I can live.
But today is Palm Sunday. And I remember as a kid being filled with horror at the atrocities committed against the Savior. I realize that I would have been just as uncomfortable knowing of these punishments on anyone. But as I got older and learned more about the Savior and discovered, unlike me, He was sinless; and underwent these horrific beatings, humiliation, agony and death for me, I could only weep. Along with the nausea I get learning of abuse and violence, every time I thought of His last meal, and the subsequent events of that night, I was amazed He willingly did this, and knew I was not ever going to be worth His suffering and death. I am always so humbled and amazed, and JOYFUL that He did. He suffered this: AND NOW I AM OVERJOYED HE SITS WITH HIS FATHER, AND BECAUSE OF HIM, I HAVE BEEN FREED!
Lord, I have been so endowed with a multitude of blessings and I am so thankful. I have good health, vision, hearing, and appreciate the nature and experiences You have blessed me to have over the years, and I can be awed by Your touch in the world. It is so sobering to me always, to be in this week from Palm Sunday to Easter.
You suffered, died, were buried, and then ROSE and You defeated death for all of us who believe You are the Savior, and we call You Lord and follow You. We may stumble, mess up, fail often, but we have the truth that holding onto You is our assurance for life eternal.
Jesus, thanks be to You. I am free—relieved, have rest, know I am blessed, and have assurance in the future. So even with this crazy, vicious virus, I am not afraid. I know You have a plan, and I am Yours. And because of the events from Palm Sunday through the suffering, and death and resurrection, I know You have this. The greatest blessing of all is You–You defeated death in all its forms for us.
Praise to Jesus for His death and rising and life sitting at His Father’s side. Thank You from all of ‘mybellaviews.’
I usually post once weekly. This felt like a need to publish midway. 
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him
Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, oh people; pour out your heart before Him; God is my refuge.
Psalm 91:2,3 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
This is a strange time we are living in right now. Covid-19 is uppermost in the minds of many. And no doubt, it’s a vicious virus, attacking with no prejudices, and is disrupting and sometimes destroying lives. There are so many who are working and being at risk, medical, first responders, grocery workers, and many more. Most, certainly not all, are trying to obey the suggestions of the infectious disease doctors, and clean, clean, clean, while being conscious of who is around, who may be ill and keeping ourselves and families protected. We are staying at home more, finding tasks, hobbies, home projects, and many are working from home.
It is odd to no longer feel as though you have the freedom to just get up and go at will. Many places are closed: restaurants to go in and enjoy a meal, but many still supply takeout, stores to purchase clothing or really much of anything other than groceries, maintenance, pharmacies and so forth. I used to frequently meet friends for lunch and chit-chat, and that is no longer, for the time being, an option. We are not visiting one another in their homes, nor having folks visit us. We may chat in the driveway, or a grocery store parking lot, but we maintain a distance, certainly ‘good-to-see-you’ hugs which were frequent for me, are not happening now.
I know the people close to me are checking more often on family and friends. I hear some getting a little antsy and asking questions such as ‘how long will this last?’ It’s different for most of us having to curtail our normal activities. I have never served in the military, but I would imagine those first few weeks of basic training must make most feel like all their ‘freedom’ is gone; they are not free to even go to the movies and certainly cannot leave base without a pass/permission. Maybe it would help us to think of the restrictions that are put on our young military members, and put this in perspective for us.
So, although I know many don’t like this voluntary containment, it is temporary, and for me it gives me more time to have extra moments appreciating all that God has blessed me with in my little area. I have my health, am blessed with most senses, (common frequently is lacking) but I can appreciate and smile and be full of thanks listening to the birds sing, children chatter, listening to an educational thing on TV and I can look out and see water, an occasional dolphin, sometimes a pod, and watch kamikaze pelicans diving into the water to catch fish. There are so many blessings, and this has given me an even better appreciation of them.
I am a basically impatient person. I work on that with the help of the Holy Spirit, and although I can tell I am better, I can feel tense when things are not going in the manner I had planned or expected. As my body tenses, it is almost immediate that the Lord whispers, “shhh, take a moment. All is ok. You are where you need to be.” And almost always, I then have an opportunity to be kind, generous, or whatever to someone standing nearby, that in all honesty, I probably would not have paid attention to since I WAS IN A HURRY.
I feel more relaxed, easy going, and confident. When my impatience or self-centered will wants to exert itself, it is easier now for me to ask God about moving ahead. I rarely feel fear or that things are slipping out of my control. God’s word promises He has a plan for my life, and since I chose to trust Him, when Satan tries to sneak something smarmy into my mind, it is fairly easy to send him packing because God is walking with me and will guide me. Oh yes, my fear, anxiety and impatience have lead me on some yuck paths during my life. And I bet, 30-40 years ago, dealing with COVID would have been another thing I would burden my mind with. But not today.
God has this, and I trust Him. I will do my best to follow the guidelines, to keep a good distance from others when I do have to go the grocery store, and have definitely curbed my traveling. I would love to visit with friends and share lunch and catch up. But this is not the time for that.
I firmly believe this is the time we pray for those who may go hungry, who will be concerned paying monthly bills since they basically have to live paycheck to paycheck. I know we have to pray for all first responders, medical personnel, grocery workers, pharmacy personnel, military, and our government leaders.
But for now, we need to remember, it is NOT all about just us. Curb your impatience, rest in God. Hand over your worries, fears, and know you are not alone. And once you have handed over the worries, DO NOT snatch them back. If Satan starts whispering all the ways you should be worrying, send him scurrying out of your mind and your home. We will get through this time. God is in charge
This is a stressful time. Let’s pray for world and health, and do what we can to follow the directives given, and know God has a plan. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings, and for all You have always done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!