Times Like These

It's been a ridiculously long time since I've blogged and it's taken a pandemic to draw my fingers back to typing my random thoughts and once again put words to my computer screen again.

Life goes on from one day to the next and it's moments like these that halt our daily routine. It is when we're shaken out of our daily, sometimes monotonous, routines that we have a very unique opportunity. A momentous period of time has presented itself in the life of a believer as the COVID-19 virus has entered our world.

It is a time to demonstrate by our actions if we believe what resides in our heart and mind from the Word of God.

One of the greatest joys in my life has been studying God's Word. I wish that I could say that I've always had a love for reading and digging into my Bible, but that would be a lie. This joy has culminated itself through much prayer and seeking the Lord for a passion and yearning of His truth over the course of my walk with Christ. For years I was discouraged each time that I would sit down with my Bible because I just didn't know how to go about studying.

God has answered this prayer in many ways by bringing biblically-sound teachers into my life and equipping me with study tools like the Precept Inductive study method. The result has been an unending journey into the Word of God and growing more and more in love with my Savior as He's taught me of Himself. I've learned so much about God's character, His Son, the past, and what the future holds. It’s an unending journey this side of Heaven. So much to learn and discover. All of this knowledge has filled my mind and heart with truth.

While all of this biblically-academic learning has fed my mind, there have not been an infinite number of opportunities in my life to EXERCISE all of the many truths that I have trusted to be true from God's Word.

Just to put it plainly, its TIMES LIKE THESE, that believers have an opportunity to demonstrate what they know to be true about God, His promises, and His provision.

There are many truths to stay reminded of in this unique season of life, but specific ones came to mind...

The truth is that God DOES cause ALL THINGS to work together for GOOD.

These things that God is working may not feel "good" at the time.

As parents, sometimes my husband and I make decisions for our family that initially doesn’t sit well with our kids. Our decisions may upset them or hurt their feelings because they don't like the decision we've made for whatever reason, but because we're acting in an authority role and doing what we feel is best for our family, our kid’s emotions take a back seat in relation to our ultimate decision to do what's best for them. Our kids are also not entitled to an explanation of why we choose to do something that impacts their life for their good. That’s all part of the role that God has entrusted to us as their parents.

While our kids may not like what's happening around them as a result of our decisions, our love for them remains intact and unconditional as we act in their best interest.

Are we striving to look for the good in all things that our Heavenly Father allows in our lives?

God promises to never leave us or forsake us.

God says that He's a loving Father (1 John 3:1) and that He will never leave or forsake us (Joshua 1:9).

Are we, in return, clinging to Him for the strength that we need to endure?

God provides for His children.

We're told not to worry about our needs because God already knows what we need. Instead of worrying, we're told to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything that we need will be provided for us.

Do we trust God to provide for our needs?

James 1:2 tells us "Consider it all joy, my brethern, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance."

and then in verse 4, "LET endurance have its perfect result...."

What an opportunity we have as believers.

We get to endure and then experience the result of becoming more complete, lacking nothing and spiritually growing stronger.

This time in our world is a time for us to wrestle with our natural, fleshly response to what's going on around us and how God would have us to respond based on the Word of God.

Our flesh is finicky. When something happens that we don't like our flesh responds in an instant, in a selfish way because the flesh desires to please itself.

Part of our responsibility as believers is reining in the flesh and being controlled by our Spirit.

Are we walking and being led by our flesh or the Spirit of God?

The Holy Spirit would have us walk by faith, trusting our Heavenly Father that brings good out of everything that He does, will never forsake us, and will provide for our needs.

In many ways it's easy to live out the way God expects us to when life is smooth and minimally challenged, but in the face of trials we have the opportunity to display and allow God's Word to come alive in us by how we respond to the challenges God allows in our lives.

Now is the time for us to act the way that we know we ought to.

Our actions speak volumes to a lost and fearful world.