There have been numerous times in my life when I was aware that I was in a process and that process had a defined end date. For me, that served as motivation when I hit moments of uncertainty or agony.
Studying for my Electrical Engineering Technology degree is the first thought that comes to mind. That was a very challenging time in my life, but I had a date to work towards. No matter how tough it became, I knew that the end was coming. The hard work, the long nights of studying, the crazy formulas and calculations, the labs, the study group meetings all were temporary obligations that would result in me holding my degree at the end.
But this? This pandemic came in with a vengeance. My life changed completely. Maybe your life changed completely, too.
Going through this pandemic as it changes what seems like daily, has no feeling of an end in sight. No, it’s not possible to predict when we will ever be completely back to a sense of normalcy. But is that the goal? I mean, do you think we will ever return back to a normal way of living without the concern of contracting a virus that has affected people so differently? A virus that has visibly reshaped how we work, we live, and worship?
God is Still in Control of Everything
COVID-19 did not only change every facet of life for me, but it also created a good shift in my life personally. It took a while for me to see all of the good that has come out of this time. Swift changes in my life forced me to become emotionally agile as I dealt with my personal and professional life.
For instance, my job schedule went from working in an office most days to working from home indefinitely. I started working longer hours. The stress of a schedule that crossed all ranges of time threw off my eating, sleeping, and workout schedule.
The first two weeks of the quarantine period were a blur. I would not argue with anyone who believed I gained a “Quarantine 10” as in 10 lbs. Before I eat myself into a larger size, I began to consult friends who worked from home on a normal basis. They helped me to develop a routine that will help me to feel a sense of control over my work, eating, sleeping, and workout schedule.
I slowly started to shed the extra weight, keep my work hours in a decent timeframe, create a sleep schedule, and working out 4 – 5 times a week.
Has the New Normal Affected Your Time with God?
While getting accustomed to all of these things, I continued to struggle spiritually. My time with God was starting to feel lost in the transition. I recognized it in myself. The forced alone time due to social distancing turned me into an emotional rollercoaster at times, and I noticed that I started to ‘socially distance’ myself from my Heavenly Father.
I didn’t initially take the time to pray and commune with Him. I became caught up in being angry about the fact that I could not freely go about. The walls were closing in on me and going through this as a single woman was challenging. Video chatting, phone calls and text messages to check on me were good – but it wasn’t enough.
I stopped being angry with God and one day I picked up my Bible. I started to pray more and I let go of the fact that this time is out of my control. God is all-knowing and none of this is catching Him by surprise.
Can anything good come out of this new normal?
God is still in control. Very much so. He’s here, yes, right here with you and me as we go through this pandemic. He has never left us nor forsaken us.
In fact, God has shown up in the kindness of humanity as I’ve watched strangers check on neighbors that they have never spoken to. Churches have provided meals and other assistance to people who have lost jobs, senior citizens who are alone and not able to take care of themselves, and some children who come from poverty-stricken areas. These kids used to rely on schools for breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day that they were not getting at home. The Spirit of God has shown up in so many people, from those who generously donate to charities, to those who voluntarily step up to help their fellow man.
I have been so blessed by the move of God through this pandemic. I believe that our world will go back to a sense of normalcy, but I’m here to tell you, it will never be the same and I hope it doesn’t. You see, when you look at everything that has come out of this unprecedented time, you can’t deny the Spirit of God consuming the earth – God is still in control.
So, What’s the Play Call?
There were many scriptures that kept me encouraged during this time as I thought about how God is still in control and I don’t need to worry. However, there are three scriptures that I focused on daily. Read them, meditate on them and if you’re a visual person, write them down and keep them in your view:
- So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) ~ Ultimately, The Lord wants to impart to us through this verse that we shouldn’t be afraid. - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 ~ There is no situation we will ever face that is out of God’s control so the best place to be is with Him.
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ~ The life of faith is filled with constant challenges. When we petition God, our plea should be done with humility. His peace creates an assurance in our spirit that all is well even when we can’t see it or feel it at the time.
