Do not Fear, COVID does not have this
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.’
Comments