Fear. Anxiety. Worry.
These are the words that weigh down every one who is trying to focus their life and attention on the things of God. It seems the more determined we are to live trusting fully in God, the harder the enemy pushes us down with these three weapons.
For many of us, right now is certainly one of those times.
We all experience moments, days, weeks, sometimes years, when we just don’t know how we are going to make it. We can feel helpless as we watch circumstances spiral out of our control. Our natural tendency is to become afraid, worried, and anxious.
But the Bible assures us that we do not need to carry these burdens. We can be confident that when life is out of our control, it is well within God’s control. We don’t need to live consumed with worry about what lies beyond the next step, or how we are going to make it through the next day. We can live in the knowledge that He cares for us and will not let go.
Isaiah 43:1 “But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.””
Matthew 6:25-27 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Joshua 1:9 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.”
I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
It is my prayer that these words of Scripture are an encouragement to you. In uncertain times, God remains everlasting, faithful and unchanging.
The Way I See It 
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
This is the verse our family is leaning on during this time. We keep remembering this and praying for protection for everyone through this trial.
I know it is hard for G.R. (husband) to not be able to preach to our church family in person and still trying to figure out how to do this online. He is also on the front lines since he works in one of our local grocery stores where he could be exposed to many germs.
Thankful for our school to be cancelled for three weeks to prevent the spread to my kids, teachers, and parents in our small rural community. Spending more time at home is not to bad as long as you keep to a schedule and try to have some fun each day. Thankful spring is here and I can listen to the bids outside the window.
Marcia, thanks for sharing your thoughts! Prayers for you, and for G.R. who sounds to be truly on the front lines both physically and spiritually! As many others, I am continuing to pray for our teachers and students as they work to continue learning in the unusual time.
I know my fellow teachers were scrambling to get print packets ready last Monday since we knew we would be out for at least three weeks – maybe more. It is challenging in a small rural school when we have so many families who do not have internet access or even a computer. Since I teach a computer skills class I was not able to send anything home with my students since 1/2 of them don’t have internet and all of our coursework is online. This is one of those times when the reality of the digital divide is all to real for the small communities.
Thank you for the prayers!
I can completely relate. When I was a high school teacher it was difficult enough to get things going under normal circumstances. Praying for teachers, who most certainly feel overwhelmed right now.