It’s a pandemic they say. No one can fathom just how bad it really is according to, well, almost everyone. Better stock up on anything and everything, but most of all toilet paper and soap. Schools are cancelled. Even many churches are restricted from meeting together. But let’s take the kids to the play place at the local fast food joint. Why not head out to the local Wal-Mart to gawk at the empty shelves, or take in a matinee at the theater. Travel? What’s that? As a country, I think I always knew we were a little crazy, but I’m discovering my expectations are a bit higher than I thought.
My brother and his family were at the store when a fresh pallet of toilet paper was put out. He has a family of 7, I have a family of 6, and my mom has a family of 4 (5 when they take in someone who is less fortunate – happens often). I’m the grateful owner of two giant packs of toilet paper (good thing because I was down to two rolls). My brother and his wife were met with angry glares and even yelled at for getting “more than they needed”. What those angry people didn’t realize was that my brother wasn’t being selfish at all; he was being immensely considerate by getting toilet paper for all three families. Because of his kindness, I was in a position to give some toilet to my future son-in-law. That’s me – passing on the kindness one roll at a time.
What causes people to lose their ever-lovin’ minds? That stinkin’ four-letter F-word I’ve written about before: fear. I keep thinking that, yes, fear is what has been driving a lot of people to crazy lengths in their stock-piling, but I keep thinking there’s something deeper than fear itself. I keep thinking that fear is the fruit of a root that goes deeper.
As many of you know, our eldest daughter recently got engaged. They have set their wedding date for this summer. March 1st, they get engaged and mid-June they are scheduled to get married. Now, my husband and I had a 5 month engagement that I stayed calm with in the planning, but 3 months has me stressing out. Especially when I just want to get it all worked out; venue booked, invitations sent out, dresses ordered, tuxes measured… flowers, cake, center-pieces, favors, rehearsal dinner menu, yada, yada, yada. Alas, it’s not my wedding, therefore it should not be weighing so heavily on my shoulders. When we have a drive to get things done, it’s difficult to step back and hand the reins over to the rightful driver. It’s our daughter’s wedding; the decisions are hers to make when she decides to make them regardless of our insights or advice.
While I have feelings of being unsettled with the wedding day fast approaching, and I see so much that hasn’t gotten done yet, I keep having to remind myself that control is an illusion. We think we can control a disease just like we think we should be able to control our children (no matter how old they are), how we think we can control how a single day goes, but do we really have control? The answer is absolutely… YES!
Wait, what? The answer is yes. We have control. It’s not an illusion. But it’s not the control you may be thinking of. We don’t have control of diseases, grocery stores being depleted, our children (or anyone for that matter), or even the events of a single day, but… we have control of how we act and react. We have control over Who we rely on to take care of diseases, supplying our needs, and loving our children more than we can even imagine… even all the minuscule details that we don’t even notice. All too often we are convinced that we are in control, and when something – like a crazy virus – comes along, we react in fear because, lo and behold, we don’t have control.
“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. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)
I’m a firm believer that God has my best interest in mind, loves me infinitely more than I can ever fathom, and loves my family more than I can ever comprehend. I mean really, God sacrificed the very best of heaven (Jesus, God’s one and only son) so that He could have a personal relationship with us. He poured out all of His wrath on Jesus – there’s no more to pour out on us. Jesus received everything we deserved – God’s fiery wrath and eternal condemnation (Isaiah 52:13 through Isaiah 53:1-12). We received everything Jesus deserved: grace upon grace, blessing on top of blessing, and love without end (Romans 5:1-11).
I’ve never personally counted how many times the Bible has the phrase, “Do not fear” or “Do not be afraid” but I’ve heard rumors that it’s about 365 times. I do know and stand on this promise: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 (NIV) and “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV) and “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s…. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” II Chronicles 20:15-17 abridged (NIV) There are many, many more promises and they were all poured out for us when Jesus died in our place.
Among God’s promises, here’s another good one: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NIV) All throughout the book of Proverbs, we’re encouraged to seek wisdom, apply wisdom, and warned about the dangers of rejecting wisdom. In addition to being a firm believer in God’s incalculable goodness, I also know there’s a reason God puts a lot of weight on the importance of wisdom, getting it, and applying it. Wisdom helps guide us in how to act and react (among other things – another post on another day).
Now that we’ve established that God loves us more than we can fathom, He’s our provider and He fights our battles, we can start to control how we respond to the chaos we seem to be in today (or any other day). Don’t forget, we have a pandemic! Even now, I’m sure there are pearls of wisdom we can use to help us control our actions and reactions, and I’m confident there are rainbows to be found in what we initially see as storm clouds.
Pearl of wisdom: If schools are cancelled, we should be limiting how much we venture out. This helps to not spread germs – not necessarily a specific virus, but any germ that might weaken someone’s immune system. Why stock up on toilet paper if you’re just going to use the bathroom at your local Wal-Mart?
Rainbow of treasure: dig out your jigsaw puzzles, get out your board games and playing cards… pull out your recipe book (you know, to use with all that sugar and flour you stocked up on). The rainbow is having the opportunity – and taking it – to spend time with your family making memories and strengthening bonds. You get the idea – try to stay home.
Pearl of wisdom: Choose kindness. Our walk as Christians should not be limited to one day a week, but in the big and small gestures of love that reflect our gratitude for Jesus taking on himself what we so thoroughly deserved. Call your neighbors to check on their needs. If you hear of a need that you can fill, be the blessing!
Rainbow of treasure: Acts of kindness and selflessness tend to be seen as a domino effect. Just like the movie, pay it forward. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh words stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) This is a Biblical principle: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 (NIV)
I challenge you to seek out and apply the pearls of wisdom, look for the rainbows of treasure – control your actions and reactions, especially in this uncertain time… And always trust that God has your best in mind. I’ll leave you with this prayer:
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)
(Italics for emphasis)
Alisha,
VERY WELL WRITTEN!!!
Peace,
Sandy