COVID-19 VIRUS—HOW ARE WE COPING?

“I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you’” (Isaiah 41:13).

Could it be that God is wanting to teach us something in these very difficult days, as we all strive to cope with the many restrictions put upon us? Perhaps it is a time for us to sit back and truly value all we have as God’s people: health, family, good friends, neighbours, creation, life itself.

We live in a fast-paced world. Too fast. Too pressured—perhaps to the point of neglecting, at times, what deep down we value most. So now we are forced to pause … rest … slow down … stop. We are actually being given the gift of time; days, even weeks, to linger and look all around us – to appreciate the many beautiful, bountiful   blessings that are ours. Whether we live with family, friends, or even alone, we know that there are people out there who love and care for us—as we do for them. We are a blessed people … yes, blessed beyond measure !

Let’s then “treasure” this time we have—as strange as this may sound. Yes, we acknowledge that for all of us we are dealing with extremely difficult situations such as layoffs, great financial strains, isolation, fear, anxiety, heightened stress, even depression. But this time has been “given” to us to perhaps re-assess our priorities, and who we are as God’s people. To figure out how we, as individuals, can help make our world a better place—for ourselves, for others, for Jesus’ sake.

As the prophet Isaiah said, hundreds of years ago, God takes hold of our hand—my hand, your hand—and assures us that, even though there may be fears of the unknown during these days of great uncertainty, He will help us through this Corona Virus crisis. We just need to look to Him daily for strength, and peace deep within.

PRAYER: Father God, we trust you. The immediate future is unknown, and even rather frightening. But You go before us, and are with us. We can’t ask for anything more. In this Lenten season, we give ourselves afresh to you—knowing all you have done for us. We love you, perhaps more than ever before! Amen.