Re-post from Hebron Church’s Women’s Ministry
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Not Unprecedent to God
During these unprecedented times we are experiencing….wait, are they really unprecedented? The online dictionary says that unprecedent means that it has not happened in the past…. But this has happened in the past.
There was the Spanish flu in 1918, Influenza in 1889, Cholera pandemic in 1852 and the deadliest the Bubonic Plague in the 1300’s. What makes this unprecedented is not COVID-19 but that we have had to stop. We are having to be still. We are having to learn to do life in a different way.
We do not have calendars filled with activities or practices or church services. We cannot fill our days with gym workouts, work relationships or outings to the movies. For the first time in many of our lives, all we have are our four walls and our immediate family.
Because of that, many families are getting back to the basics. Reminds me of what Vince Lombardi, one of the greatest football coach of all time said after a particularly bad defeat, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” Any moms out there who had to say, “Kids, this is a dining room table and we eat meals around it. Kind of like our van but without wheels.”?
Yet, what a gift this can be. I have seen more family hikes, board games, arts and crafts projects and home-cooked meals than ever on my social media feeds. Families are reading stories together, getting house projects done and just being a family.
Please let me encourage you during this time to practice three things: gratitude, trust, and peace. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God.” (ESV) The key to not being anxious is the thankfulness mixed into the prayer. During this pandemic, why not take a few minutes each day and write down three things you are thankful for? Then spread some of that encouragement and tell three other people and ask them what they are thankful for. This is a habit you will want to do long after we get to go to the movies again.
Another reason, we cannot be anxious comes from the verse just before verse 6. Philippians 4:5 says, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.” (ESV) We cannot be anxious because the Lord is at hand – the NIV translates it as the Lord is near. The God of the universe…the Great I AM…the Risen Savior and soon coming King is near. He is right here with those who know Him. This Sovereign God in which nothing is unprecedented is present and we are assured in Romans that nothing can separate us from Him. Trust in Him who promises us that troubles will come but we are to take heart because He has overcome the world.
Lastly, Philippians 4:7 has an amazing promise. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (ESV) Peace is not something we work up. It is not something we can strive for and achieve. But rather it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit and a byproduct of prayer and gratitude. The key to this is being still (Psalm 46:10.) In the original Hebrew, still from Psalm 46:10 means to relax, refrain and even to withdraw. Now that our bodies need to be still, the next step is to help our minds be still. Be sure to take time each day and quiet your mind. Even if it is for 10 minutes while in the bathroom. Below are three verses that you can meditate on during this time.
· When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalms 56:3-ESV)
· Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10-ESV)
· For God give us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7-ESV)
As we all operate in gratitude, trust, and peace, Christ will be glorified and we will come out of this unprecedented time transformed. Let’s take full advantage of this gift that has been given to us.
