Fear not! The bible tells us to “fear not” 88 times and the word “strength” is mentioned 360 times. So, in this time of great fear and angst, let us give our anxiety and fear to God and submit to his power and glory, that we may receive his peace.

In John 16:33, Jesus speaks to his disciples, and warns them of the trials that are to come. But, as he explains that they will suffer, he encourages them, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Soon, after speaking these words, Jesus was arrested and crucified and the hopes, dreams and plans of the disciples, were shattered!

Does it feel like your hopes and dreams have been shattered? Has this virus and the panic it has thrown our nation into, caused your plans to change? Amid this great trial, we can still look to God for his peace. Psalm 27:13-14, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

• Remain—to continue to exist, to stay
• Confident—a strong belief, full assurance, bold
• Goodness—excellent quality, the best part or essence of something, strength, kindness, virtue

I continue to believe strongly, boldly, with blessed assurance that I have seen the strength, kindness, generosity, and best part of God’s essence, this side of heaven.

Yesterday, my boss announced that our department and our company would be moving people to different locations to distance ourselves from one another, to combat this virus and to keep us all safe from getting sick. Great plan! Except, that is not how I took it. For all my “preaching” about not living in fear, I honestly felt like I was going to throw up. I felt alone, isolated and overwhelmed. Because as ½ my coworkers would be working elsewhere, I and another, would stay “behind” and work from our area. Now, rationally, nothing has changed. The same amount of people will be doing the same amount of work, but that is not how it felt. It felt like all the weight of the work and all the responsibilities for the department was dropped on my lap! I went home that night upset and immediately got in an argument with my husband. He was not pleased! Why was I letting this change throw me? Why was I so afraid and upset?

I find it ironic that I started writing a blog on Tuesday morning about living without fear. I was writing about remaining confident in God’s goodness and his assurance. I was writing about that no matter what happened, I could be strong and wait on the Lord. Well! That went right out the window when life smacked me in the face! Thank goodness the Lord understands and doesn’t expect perfection. He knew that I would react the way I did, and yet, he still loves me and he is still in control. So, as we all move through life and this health crisis that has overtaken every aspect of our lives, take heart! Be strong! Christ has overcome the world and we as a team, a church, a family, will get through this. Blessed assurance!