May 2020

Many people let fear dictate how they respond to the COVID-19 crisis – including people of faith. Rapidly changing social norms leave us with no idea what life will look like once the spread of the virus diminishes. However, fear and faith don’t work together in believers. God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. With this confidence, we must hold strong to our faith and keep hope alive for nonbelievers and believers alike.

God’s word declares that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Another translation says faith is the confirmation, or the title deed, of things hoped for and the evidence (the reality) of things not yet revealed to your senses. As believers we must trust that God has a plan for us even through hard times. Knowing there is a plan for us to possess something better, it’s absolutely necessary to keep our title deed in a safe place just as we would the deeds to our home or cars.

God is amazing in how He strategically gave us the Bible to lead us through every challenge we face. Although it’s the enemy’s job to distract us and take us off course, God’s word guides us. The word provides certainty that all of this will work out for our good. In the word of God, the children of Israel were challenged consistently with all kinds of tragedies. They survived famines, slavery, war and many other harsh situations, but God was there to deliver them every time. The key to keeping our minds at peace right now is to link up with other believers that offer encouraging and supportive words.

The Bible also says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. When our faith begins to fail and fear rises, we need the word. Get a Bible app on the computer or cell phone to receive daily word infusions. Not only can faith grow during these uncertain times, the Word will feed the spirit and protect it from the enemy’s fear attacks. Jesus is the Word and the source of our strength, and the answer to every earthly crisis. There is nothing we will ever face that He cannot, or will not, see us through.

He has proven Himself faithful time and time again. Remember not to focus on what the situation looks like, but focus on HIM who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Don’t limit God. El Shaddai the Almighty God is powerful in all that He does. We never imagined that we would be in a pandemic, but God already knew this day would come. Even this is part of His plan to move us into the next phases of our stories. We can unlock our destinies using faith as the key.

Be blessed. . . .