I praise God for what he has promised.
Psalm 56:4
God did not cause this current or any previous crisis. He did not inflict disease on the world, He is not punishing us, and He will not allow it to last forever. He will, however, use every bit of it for His own glory, for His purposes, in His timing. Perhaps He is calling each of us to slow down long enough to see what we truly value, to know what really matters, and to show us that they haven’t been the same things He values. Maybe what we all view as an unwelcome disruption in our daily lives is actually a necessary redirection of our hearts and our relationship with Him. We can hold onto God’s promises, or we can hold tight to panic. We can cling to God’s timeless Truth, or we can cling to temporary terrors. Most of us need to be reminded of God’s eternal promises…
God promises to never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:6). God promises to always protect you (2 Thessalonians 3:3). God promises that if you search for Him, you will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). God promises to be near us whenever we pray to him (Deuteronomy 4:7). God promises to fight your battles (Exodus 14:14). God promises to give you strength (Isaiah 40:31). God promises to forgive you when you confess your sin (1 John 1:9). God promises to never stop loving you (Ephesians 3:17-19). God promises you comfort in your trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) and to finish the work He started in you (Philippians 1:6). God promises you peace when you pray (Philippians 4:6-7) and rest when you are burdened (Matthew 11:28-30). God promises you everlasting life (John 3:16), abundant life (John 10:10), and the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:34). God promises that He will come back for you and is preparing a place in heaven just for you (John 14:2-3). And So. Many. More!
Your relationship with God is shaped by your response to His promises. In order for them to settle in your heart and shape your relationship and your life, you need to write them on your heart and allow them to remind you daily of His faithfulness and His love. When what you KNOW gets overtaken by what you FEAR, you aren’t holding God’s promises close. And if you are trying to hold fear in one hand and God’s promises in the other, you will be unable to move forward in your faith. Lay down those fears and doubts, and pick up more of God’s promises instead. Write them deep within your heart by memorizing them and meditating on them. They will shape your relationship with Him, your heart, and your life. You are loved!