“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
Photo by Stefan Cosma on Unsplash
Covid-19 has struck fear into the hearts of millions of people—what will the future look like? Obviously, there are valid reasons to fear this deadly virus and to take the necessary steps to minimize the tragic loss of life brought on by this invisible killer.
With God’s help, along with great efforts by people across America, it appears that the worst may be in our rearview mirror. Our attention now has shifted to how quickly, but safely, our country can return to some sense of normalcy. And what will “normal” even look like?
A common frustration people are voicing goes something like this: “I hate not being in control. I’m sick of hearing about all of the restrictions and the things I can’t do!”
May I suggest a different way of thinking? Ask yourself, “What can I do?”
There is much in this life you can’t control–stuff happens. But you can control your response. You alone control your attitude and mindset.
I remember like it was yesterday. Following a speaking engagement at a church in Alton, Missouri, my family was invited to eat dinner with a vet and his family who had attended the church service. This man served as a Marine in the Viet Nam war and had lost both legs due to a booby trap—both legs were short stubs. At church he rode in a wheelchair. At home he moved around by walking on his hands to include going up and down stairs. As we approached his house, we saw a most amazing thing. The vet was on top of his roof laying shingles. He was roofing his home entirely by himself. I would not have believed except I saw it myself.
God created you in His image. The Master Builder designed you to be tough, resilient, creative and able to withstand the storms of life—not in your own strength, but in the power and abilities only He can provide.
You can control more than you realize. You can do more than you think you can do. It starts by trusting what God says in His Word. He hasn’t given you “a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
This is the day that God has made. What will you do with it?