Lessons Learned In A Pandemic

“Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.” – Psalm 135:6 ESV

It’s been 5 months, 1 week and four days since school’s closed down and I have been working from home. 5 months, 1 week and four days of uncertainty, anxiety, stress, readjustment, hopefulness and helplessness, exhaustion and much more. For many, it left us wondering, what is going on, and where is God’s hand in all of this.

But what I do want to say is, in these 5 months, 1 week and four days, God has taught me so many things, but ultimately, he has showed me his sovereignty. Can you believe that even through a horrific time like COVID-19, God has still been consistent in his blessings? If nothing at all, the gift of life is enough to feel blessed.

This time for me was really about isolation, silence and reflection. As many people have mentioned, this pandemic period has showed us that it’s not about how much money you have, it’s not about the job you have, it’s not about your looks, your popularity or your resources.

In this time, I have learned that, if I was not totally dependent on God before, I need to be 100% dependent on him now and forever. Even in a pandemic, you can see that people take all the precautions and still pass on. It is truly the protection of God that keeps us safe. I can do all the things in the world, but I have realized that God is our keeper and the one who watches over us.

I cannot discount the fact that this time has been a difficult time for many people. It has also been a season of loss, hardship and pain. In times like this, as much as I may be worried or anxious, I continue to remind myself of what Matthew 6:25-32 NIV says:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

I want you to ask yourself a couple of questions:

1. Who or what do you put your trust in?
2. Is it (are they) dependable 24/7?

In these hard times, there are so many feelings of uncertainty, but I want to encourage you that God is able to do all things. God is sovereign. He is able to do what we think may be impossible. Trust in him. What people can’t do, medicine can’t do, systems can’t do, God can do, according to his will.

Let’s share a prayer:

Father, in this distressing time, I am thankful and grateful for my life. In this time, help me to put my trust in you. Help me to trust that you have plans for me and that you are with me through it all. Help me to remember that if you can feed the bird in the sky, who do not sow anything, then you can feed and take care of me. Continue to watch over me, my family and my friends. In Jesus name, Amen.