"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." Psalms 32: 8
When I started this year 2020, I went to God in prayer, committing my plans to him. They were big plans, very scary yet exciting because I knew it was time. It was time for me to take that step, to actualize those plans and just ...go for it!
I remember being overwhelmed by the prospect of this big journey the Lord was getting me ready for. Time and time during the day when the fear came, I would go to God to ask, but Lord how? How will this happen? How will I get from point A to point B? This all seems too much for me Lord.
And the Lord said to me, as simply and as lovingly as he normally does speak to me, he said “Trust.” That was the recurring answer I got from Him In my time of prayer and fellowship. Trust! Trust! Trust!
Mind you, this was before the whole COVID-19 situation began. This was before the worldwide panic and frenzy, the lockdowns, the quarantine shut-ins, the daily reports of the rising number of deaths and new virus cases, the stock market crash, and the rumors of a recession.
Imagine how hopeless, shattered, and immobilized I felt when this all happened, and a global lockdown was declared.
Lord? What is this?! I cried to him. This was going to be my year! Remember my list? What would become of it now? It’s too early in the year for things to be dashed in this absolute fashion!
Again, the Lord said to me, Trust.
I didn’t want to hear it though, because you see, the situation had changed. Before the pandemic and the lockdowns, the Lord asking me to trust seemed fairly reasonable and doable for the level of faith I had. But now?? With everything going on in the world, asking me to trust felt unfair and unreasonable. Things are way worse I reminded the Lord. Things are even more uncertain. How will I make it? Again, how will I get from point A to B when I can’t even take a step in any direction?! When will things get back to normal? Will I recover? How? When? I felt so lost and disoriented.
I still have those odd days when I am hit by the bleakness of the current situation of things but the Holy Spirit has been my cheer. Slowly, I am learning what it really means to trust and rest, to be in a sinking ship, and yet declare that I will not drown.
Since we are all going through this rough and uncertain period together, I know you have your own worries too, your own fears about your health, your family, your finances, etc. I am sharing this to encourage you as well, to let go and trust God. Fall back into the rest He offers.
In times like this, to find rest, our first instinct is to self preserve, to control situations and outcomes, to logically convince ourselves that we will be fine, and all will be well. You will, however, agree with me that what is happening right now is out of our control. We are completely helpless in our own might. Indeed we are truly locked in; we have played all the cards in our hands. What else can we do now, but finally listen to God and REST.
TRUST and REST, they go together.
It is time my dear friends, it is time for us to lift our eyes from the situation, the hopelessness of it all, and look up to heaven. Let the one who affectionately cares for us worry about how we will survive and when things will go back to normal.
If you really want His rest but find that you just cannot shut off the worries and fears about your today and tomorrows, ask the Holy Spirit for more grace. Ask Him for the grace to take Him at his word, and believe me He will gladly help you because He wants that for you as well!
Life is truly full of uncertainties and trusting the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way we can navigate the uncertainties of life.
Dear friends, if like me, you say you believe in Jesus and you trust in Him, this is the best time to put that trust into practice.
May God give you the grace to receive his offered rest today in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Till next time friends, please stay safe and stay positive. Remember, Jesus loves you.
My Favourite verse in periods of hopelessness:
You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink. II Kings 3: 17
Related Scriptures:
Psalms 46:1-2, Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:6-7, I Pet 5:7, Psalm 121:7-8, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31: 6, Psalms 55:22
Song suggestions:
Way Maker- Sinach, You will win- Jekalyn Carr, Surrounded-Michael W. Smith, I am not alone- Kari Jobe and Trust in you- Lauren Daigle
Recommendations:
Pray without ceasing (you are fortified when you pray! You also find rest when you pray!). Read and meditate on the scriptures above, and pray again :).
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