Today I called the regular attenders of our church and I started my conversations with them by saying,, "So how are you doing? Are you doing okay? Are you keeping busy?" While some said that they are managing to keep busy in one way or another, others are experiencing the affects of 'cabin fever'. Many are running out of things to keep themselves occupied. Others are treating this 'no choice' lock down as an opportunity to start a new hobby, to get some jobs done around the house that have been left for quite some time, while others are making sure they are keeping well fed! All these things are good for our physical and mental health.
But as I think of this time of self - isolation, I have another question for you and that is, are you taking this time to make sure that you are feeding yourself spiritually? Are you feeding your faith more than you are feeding your fears? Do you realize that if you take the time to feed your faith your fears will starve? But if you feed your fears your faith will? In this time when anxiety is high, we need to make sure we intentionally take the time to encourage one another. To feed other people's faith as well as our own.
So I want to encourage you, whoever you are, not to give into despair or discouragement. Don't give up! We will get through this. In the meantime, intentionally take the time to re - acquaint yourself with your Bible, take time to read from the Psalms or one of the gospel accounts. Also, be sure to take the time to pray, now more than ever - for our world, for your own well - being and that of your family and friends. What about taking the time to call them on the phone or text a friend and tell them of something that God has recently pointed out to you.
There is no doubt that things in our world are changing by the moment. Tomorrow looks uncertain, at least as far ahead as we can see. That is why more than ever it is important to make sure that you feed yourself spiritually every day, lean into God daily. Because in doing so, you will find the strength and hope you need to make it through this crisis. And as you do this,, don't forget.... God is still on His throne. He is still in control no matter what happens.
But as I think of this time of self - isolation, I have another question for you and that is, are you taking this time to make sure that you are feeding yourself spiritually? Are you feeding your faith more than you are feeding your fears? Do you realize that if you take the time to feed your faith your fears will starve? But if you feed your fears your faith will? In this time when anxiety is high, we need to make sure we intentionally take the time to encourage one another. To feed other people's faith as well as our own.
So I want to encourage you, whoever you are, not to give into despair or discouragement. Don't give up! We will get through this. In the meantime, intentionally take the time to re - acquaint yourself with your Bible, take time to read from the Psalms or one of the gospel accounts. Also, be sure to take the time to pray, now more than ever - for our world, for your own well - being and that of your family and friends. What about taking the time to call them on the phone or text a friend and tell them of something that God has recently pointed out to you.
There is no doubt that things in our world are changing by the moment. Tomorrow looks uncertain, at least as far ahead as we can see. That is why more than ever it is important to make sure that you feed yourself spiritually every day, lean into God daily. Because in doing so, you will find the strength and hope you need to make it through this crisis. And as you do this,, don't forget.... God is still on His throne. He is still in control no matter what happens.