Psalm 71:20

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

Being in a pandemic is a new experience for us. In fact, life as we know it is being called the “new normal”, which is something none of us are very fond of. We are required to follow new protocols, which is forcing us to re-think how we go about doing life together. The change that is occurring as a result of the pandemic is causing much stress and anxiety in us all. The fact that unemployment is at an all-time high and civil unrest is threatening the unity of our country is making those levels of stress and anxiety increase significantly. The statement we hear often on the news “these are unprecedented times” now sounds like an understatement!

In times like these we have more questions than answers. As Christians, we should know that how we respond is a testament of our faith in God. We are reminded in the book of Revelation that things are going to get worse before they get better. In fact, while we are on this earth, we will always face difficulties and struggles in life. We must learn early in our walk with the Lord, that who we turn to first makes all the difference in how we walk through those difficulties and struggles. If we turn to God first in all we do, He will guide us with the help of His Holy Spirit who gives us wisdom and discernment.

It is important to remember that God does not shelter us from every difficulty in life. He allows us to experience difficult times because it’s during those times that we experience growth and change the most. However, we are never left alone. We should be encouraged that God (Emmanuel) is here with us as we go through life. But we need to seek Him and ask for His grace. As much as we try, we can not ve self-sufficient. Nor is that God’s plan for us. We were created to rely on God and not on ourselves. Everything that happens is for the purpose of God restoring our life through His transformation of us. It’s through His sanctifying grace that we become more like the person He desires us to be. As we face trials, we need to humbly seek God first.

Lord, we are struggling right now amidst things we were never in control of though we thought we were. We know that you are sovereign over everything. Help us to rest in this truth and give us humility and discernment when we tend to question. Help us to turn to you first and rely on you for everything. Thank you for your provision and the transformation of my life that will make me more like the person you have called me to be.

– Greg Miller