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.
John 16:33
Amongst the many things I’m currently praying for, I’ve found the urge to pray for an overwhelming peace in my heart. This pandemic has shaken us to our cores. It’s flipped things upside down and changed the dynamics in our daily routine. We were all going to work or school or uni, but now we've found ourselves confined to our homes (with the exception of leaving our homes for one hour of exercise and buying essential items at the shops). Everything we were used to has changed, and we’re not entirely sure when it’ll return to normal. We can’t control what’s going on outside nor can we control corona or COVID-19 or what I call the invisible enemy. But what we can control is what we fill our minds with. Now more than ever, we need to be filled with God’s word. God's word is a seed and we have to keep it planted and watered so that we become fruitful vessels.
We can't allow ourselves to be filled with seeds of doubt. We need to allow ourselves to process God’s word actively and intentionally apply it to every situation we face so we can stand on it in times of despair or crisis.
In all honesty, lately, I had been feeling like the disciples during the storm on the boat while Jesus was asleep.
“The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Matthew 8:25-56
Jesus calmed the storm and saved the disciples and He is going to save us.
John 16:33 says “take heart I have overcome the world”. I want you to be reassured that Jesus will turn our mourning into dancing and our sorrow into joy. Because of Him, we are overcoming every fear, doubt, and anxiety and trading it for joy, happiness, and peace. We may not understand our current climate or situation, but Jesus is fighting for us. Jesus knows the end of our story, while we’re just at the beginning.
In the following scripture, Jesus comforts his disciples:
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!
John14:1-6
God is going to prepare a place for us in His house. When everything is ready, He will come and get us, just as a father or mother comes to collect its child. I don’t know about you but reading this made me smile. Our Lord will never forsake us; He’s just preparing our hearts. Trouble will come just like the scripture says in John14:33, but God will surely take care of it for us. He will overcome the world.
So right now, I’m doing an assessment on where I stand currently in my relationship with God. I confess I trust Him with my lips yet I have a tendency to let fear in my heart because of what I see happening in the world. Well, I'm deciding to no longer let fear take control. I’m not going to panic. My saviour has overcome for you and me. He has prepared a place for us. He knows the end of our story and it will have a peaceful ending. We just need to be patient enough to get through the chapters of this story we're living.
Here are some words and scripture of comfort for you during this time:
"When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer". Psalms 94:19
"Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories".
Isaiah 41:10
"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
He is peace in the midst of a troubled storm; He is comfort and safety in my arms.
Sending love and positivity your way
Danielle
XO
**Written during the COVID-19 pandemic
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