These are indeed troubled times.

For the past few weeks I feel like I am living in the place between what I remember as my “normal” life and what feels like the zombie apocalypse. 

A couple of weeks ago I was at work. Just another normal day. Well, almost normal. We knew about COVID-19 and that it was a threat – in China. Not here, in Colorado! Around lunch time we were informed that we were to grab what we needed to work remotely and that starting at 5 p.m. we would no longer be allowed back to our place of work. Ok. Well what does this mean? How long will we be working remotely? Will it be a couple of days? Till the end of next week?

I am a planner…

I need a plan…

I need details…

I grabbed what I could but as each day passes I realize that I didn’t understand the severity of the situation. Every week it seems like the stay at home order is being extended and there is more uncertainty instead of answers. 

Families with school age children are having to adjust to homeschooling and having their kids home .. ALL OF THE TIME. College students expecting to finish up the semester have so many questions. Couples are spending all of their time together and it is putting a strain on relationships. Many good people have lost their jobs and our economy is impacted. Cases of COVID-19 are soaring and the death toll rises. As someone who suffers from anxiety and PTSD I have to admit that I was struggling. What is happening? What is the truth? When will this end and when will we be allowed to go back to our normal lives? Stories on the news and social media only serve to make me feel more anxious as there seems to be no end in sight. 

Thankfully I know the secret to all of this:  trust in the Lord and rest, assured.

Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6 give us a simple instruction for every situation:

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (NIV)

Along with Proverbs 3:5 & 6, the two word phrase “rest assured” has been on my heart. 

• The definition of the word “rest” is to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. 
• The word “assured” means confident, certain, secure and guaranteed.

Many of us have been forced to cease work … or at least cease work as we know it. Maybe God wants us to refresh ourselves, recover our strength in Him?

Today as I was looking out the window and reflecting on God’s power and His many names I felt assured. Confident, certain, secure and guaranteed that God is in control, He is my provider, and He will see us through this historical time. So maybe we don’t need to understand it, just trust. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Pray about everything and He will give you peace in this storm. 

Stay strong family. Rest, assured that God is still in control and that He loves you!