Keep Our Eyes On Him
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The hospital where Floyd is has closed to all visitors. I'm really glad about that as another layer of protection for him. The doctor told me this morning that Floyd is doing well.
I have been through so many different and difficult things during our unexpected journey. I made a list one time - it was very long. But never, ever in my wildest imagination would I have thought of a worldwide pandemic and a national lockdown. It seems like something out of a science fiction movie. The world has truly been turned upside down in a matter of weeks.
Almost everyone I'm in communication with is facing some level of fear and anxiety. It's understandable. What we're facing is unprecedented.
I think what we are facing is an attack on our minds as well as our bodies. We must continually choose faith over fear. If I let my mind wander, I begin to get worried - about Floyd, about myself, about my family in various places, about my friends, about All Nations, about my local community, about our nation of South Africa with its vulnerable people living in shacks......there are so many things to be worried about.
I tell myself that I must not worry - but if even for a few minutes I let down my guard, my mind goes there. Worry and fear will constantly knock at the entryway of our minds if we're not careful. We have to banish them to the foot of the cross minute by minute.
My trust in God is having to go to deeper and deeper levels each day. My choosing to not let worry or fear enter in is a battle that I am determined not to lose. I am recalling every lesson I have learned on our journey. I am holding tight to His hand as we all walk into an uncertain future.
A friend was reading Floyd's book "Leading Like Jesus" this week. She sent me a passage from his chapter on testing. I found it encouraging.
"In 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, Paul describes the lessons he learned from the difficult tests he passed through:
We don't want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it. We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally - not a bad idea since He's the God who raises the dead! (The Message) "
I almost felt like Floyd was speaking to me to remind me to keep looking to God continually. I'm choosing minute by minute to do that. He is faithful and has never failed me!
I've found that clinging to the promises in God's word has been a "rope" to hold on to as I navigate this time. There are soooo many verses of promise, hope, and help.
"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 17:8
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley.....I will fear no evil, for you are with me." Psalm 23:4
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
"The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life." Psalm 121:7
"Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." Psalm 57:1
I am praying daily for God's goodness, grace, strength, love, and protection for us and for each of you. May God use this time to draw us closer to Him as we are forced to withdraw from normal daily life. One friend of mine described it as God giving us a "time out." May we make the most of it in rest, in time with our families, and in time with Him.
I decided to look at some of my notes of things I've learned through the years in facing times of fear. It was helpful. But the main thing I saw is that all the things I've faced before seem so "small" in comparison to this current scenario. Granted, none of them seemed small at the time!
having my daughter in Afghanistan and almost losing her to an amoeba when she was a few months old
raising a toddler on our house boat "The Ark" in Amsterdam, always fearing she would fall into the canal
raising our 2 children in the infamous red light distinct in Amsterdam
Floyd's life being threatened on a number of occasions in Afghanistan and Amsterdam because of the work we were doing
caring for my daughter for over 6 years when she was ill with a debilitating illness
facing cancer repeatedly the last few years
Floyd's sudden illness and the loss of my life with him
The list goes on and on. I've had lots of occasions to learn how to deal with fear and anxiety. God has always been faithful! He has lovingly, gently - but strongly, gotten me through each situation I've faced.
As I've been thinking about this, some things have come through clearly to my mind:
God isn't surprised by all that is happening. It hasn't caught Him off-guard or flat-footed.
His abundant, sufficient grace for every need is still there in its full provision.
He is working in ways we can't see to meet us and answer our prayers.
He never promised us a life without danger or problems, but He did promise to always be with us. That is still the case.
He never leaves us. He is by our side continually - only a whisper away - holding our hand or even carrying us if needed.
There aren't "easy" answers for this time. But I realized that there are 3 simple steps that have helped me with the situations I've faced over the years.
Admit our fear, our need. It's not a sign of failure or weakness. It's okay. We're human - not superman or superwoman. God knew we would need His help. That's why He's given us so many verses of assurance, strength, and help in His word.
Identify our fear. Is it fear of being sick? Of dying? Of being alone? Fear for our family? Fear of not having money to pay the bills? When we can identify it, it helps us know what we need to fight against. Then we can go to God and ask Him to help us with what we're facing.
Shine the light of the Spirit on the fear with truth. Fear lives in the dark and in the mind. When we shine the light of who God is, the darkness surrounding it disappears. When we pray about our fears and bring them into the light, the truth of who God is to combat the fear is powerful. As we pray the verses of God's truth out loud, His Spirit breaks their hold on our mind.
God wants to help us in this tumultuous time. He is still sovereign. He is with us all. He understands what we're going through. He wants to carry our burdens if we'll give them to Him. He is strong and powerful to help us. He can sustain us. He is with us continually. And, yes, He can lift the fear from our hearts as we come to Him.
We can bring our fears to Him as often, as many times as we need to. He doesn't berate us if we struggle with fear. He just wants us to come to Him so He can help us!
"He who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil." Proverbs 1:33
"I want you to be free from anxieties." 1 Corinthians 7:32
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." Psalm 56:3
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19
"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
He is the mighty One who will help us navigate this pandemic. He has not left us for even a second in the midst of it! He is WITH US!