A year ago a number of words were never a part of my vocabulary. Words such as pandemic, face masks, social distancing, and quarantine. I don’t remember ever using those words a year ago or earlier. They didn’t fit in my life, but the certainly fit now. Friend, if I can be completely real with you, I’m so tired of these words. Honestly, I’m over them! Maybe you are, as well. If you’re a pandemic-weary person like me, I invite you to read on to be encouraged.
This pandemic isn’t what we expected or wanted.
Boy, isn’t that the truth! A year ago some of us were planning vacations, weddings, family gatherings, and fun adventures. Some of us had concerts, business trips, social events, and big plans on our calendars. Only to find most of everything became canceled. Or rescheduled. No, none of us didn’t expect or want any of that to happen.
We also didn’t expect or want any of us or our loved ones to become ill, or worse yet, to die from this virus. Life has been altered in so many ways because of this pandemic. As a result, our hearts are heavy with heartache and loss.
Why? we ask. Why did all of this happen? We may even question if God cares about us down here. God are you still there?
Yes, without a doubt, God is still there. And, friend, He’s still here. He’s right here with you and me. Even if it may not seem for feel like it, God hasn’t forgotten us, and He isn’t sleeping or ignoring us. Just to be clear, He also isn’t mad at you or me, either. This didn’t happen as a result of something you or I did or didn’t do. God is not punishing us. No. He doesn’t work like that. God doesn’t replay evil for evil. Instead, He repays evil with His good.
For those of us who are pandemic-weary people, this is the hope we cling to.
God repays evil will His good.
Look back over the year. What good has God brought into your life? You might have to look past the muck and the mire, but His goodness is there. His goodness is always there. Sometimes, however, we miss it because of all the bad in this world. Friend, His good is greater. His good is what our hearts need reminding of. His good is our hope.
Actually, He is our hope.
Scripture after scripture remind us of this truth. Here are four:
For you are my only hope, Lord! I’ve hung on to you, trusting in you all my life.
Psalm 71:5 TPT
We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.
Romans 8:28 VOICE
So don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you.
Isaiah 41:10 NCV
I say to myself, “The Lord is everything I will ever need. So I will put my hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:24 NIRV
Pandemic-weary friend, God is our hope and promise today, tomorrow, forever.
Another translation, the Voice translation, states the end of Lamentation 3:24 like this: “Hope in God; just wait.” We who are pandemic-weary people have reason to hope and to be encouraged, because as scripture reminds us, God is our hope. He is everything we need. And He promises He’s working all things out in our lives for good. Including this pandemic.
So, we who are pandemic-weary people, can rest in this hope today, tomorrow, and forever. We can continue to hope in God and wait. His timing is perfect, and He has this and everything else under His mighty control.
Friend, keep looking for God and His good in this world, in your circumstances, in your life. Where do you see Him at work? Jot these instances down somewhere each day. Encourage yourself and others with them. Share them at the dinner table with your family. And maybe most importantly, thank God for them and for Him.
Even though this season in our lives isn’t what we expected or wanted, God is still with us, extending His goodness to us. We hope in Him and wait.
Much love to you today, friend!
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