We are facing things in our world that we have never faced before and it is easy to get caught up in the fear and confusion that is so rampant in this season of the COVID -19 pandemic. How can we step back from the constant news updates and look for where we can find hope amid this crisis?

One thing we want to focus on is who our God is. As we look at the scriptures there are many accounts of God taking care of His children through difficult times. In Deuteronomy chapter 8 God is reminding His people to remember how He took care of them in the wilderness. He used the adversity in their lives to test them and strengthen their commitment to Him.

“So He humbled you, letting you hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”

Jesus Christ quoted this scripture when He was tempted by the devil after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Our God is faithful to take care of us and supply everything we need. All He wants us to do is to stand on His Word as the foundation for our life.

The second thing we want to focus on is what God is doing. If we are looking at things from a worldly perspective based on what we can see, hear, and experience we will probably miss out on the bigger picture of what God is doing in the light of eternity.

“Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God is not late with His promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining Himself on account of you, holding back the End because He does not want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone time and space to change.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 The Message

We may not see what God is doing in our lives and the world around us, but we can stand firm on the promises He gives us that He is for us and not against us, His love for us and the whole world will never fail. He promises that He is working all things for our good and His glory. (Romans 8:28)

The third thing we need to remember is that how God does things will be bigger and greater than we can imagine. Our deliverance is guaranteed by His promises, but the way He does it is for Him to determine. Isaiah 55 tells us that His ways are not our ways, His ways are higher. God saves His people again and again in ways that we do not expect. There is a popular Christian song called Waymaker, that says “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working. Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working. You never stop, You never stop working.” God will never stop working in our lives to draw us closer to Him, to take care of all our needs, and to strengthen us in our believing and living for Him.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power (His Holy Spirit) that works in us.” Eph. 3:20 NKJV

Understanding Who God is: a loving and good Father and Savior,

what He is doing: working all things for our good, and

how He does things: beyond what we could ever think, dream, or imagine, can give us great peace and a hope that comes from God Himself.

Now spend some time meditating on God’s promises. Let His Spirit bring you comfort and strength. Cast your cares on Him and encourage yourself by thinking on how many trials He has gotten you through. He has a plan even in this turbulent time to grow you in Him, to use you to be a minister of His grace, and to turn even your struggles into victories so the light of Christ that shines in you will be a beacon of hope for those trying to get out of darkness.

Here is a blessing that Paul gave in Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Betsy O’Callaghan