Where is God in the Coronavirus?

Life is so weird right now. Some people are really suffering, whether it’s sickness, loss, financial devastation or isolation. My heart breaks for them!

At my house, we aren’t really suffering. We’re just experiencing circumstances that are out of our control. It’s frustrating and just so weird. Right? There are so many unknowns.

My current circumstances remind me a lot of the summer of 2014. In the span of one week I lost my job, my sister got married and moved away (after living with us for a year and a half) and I accidentally put Paul’s brand new iPhone in the washing machine.

I cried myself to sleep at least once. There was so much financial loss, uncertainty and loneliness that summer. Sound familiar?

I couldn’t see the beauty in that summer. Paul worked very long hours as we struggled to cope with my sudden unemployment and with my sister, my best friend, in another state – I spent a lot of time alone.

That summer I learned to embrace the seasons of life. I learned how to implement daily routines as I enjoyed life as a stay-at-home wife, and spent most of my days in the kitchen or organizing closets, drawers and cabinets. That summer was difficult but not life-changing.

A few years later I experienced another set of circumstances that completely knocked the wind out of me – sometimes literally. I remember receiving a phone call with news that made my knees buckle with fear and panic. I entered a trial that unfolded over the course of almost two years and stripped me of many things I held dear.

That trial changed my life. I am a different person today because of that trial, and I am so thankful for the change that occurred in my heart. It was much harder than my summer of lonely unemployment, but the walk I gained with Jesus far outweighed the heartache I endured.

What made the difference in those two experiences?  My focus. When I began to open my heart, my eyes and my arms to the Lord, my life changed drastically. I took my feelings, emotions, fears and realities to God’s Word and allowed the truth of Scripture to change me.

And now, here we are, with this weird virus that’s changing everything. I’m not able to see the good in this situation but I can see God in this situation, because He is here. He is working. He is good. He is in control. He is perfect.

I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” – Daniel 4:34-35

Amen.

You might be asking, “How do I see God in this situation?”

1. Be sure that you have a personal relationship with Him.
2. Spend time reading the Bible every day. Devotionals and inspirational Instagram posts don’t count. Join me in reading Proverbs every day or start the Bible in a year plan that I love.
3. Listen to worship music that reaffirms Biblical truth and reminds you of the Gospel.

“During these days, you must counsel your own heart as well as the hearts of those around you from the life-giving, eternal, unchanging Word. How prone we are to listen to ourselves, to allow social media and the news to keep us on edge, and to rehearse the doubting lies of the devil.

Read the Word, meditate on the Word, memorize the Word, share the Word with your spouse, pray the Word, engage your family with the Word, and delight and counsel your heart in the Word!” [from This Transcends Coronavirus Fears – my dad’s blog]

This is a scary time! I cannot ignore the reality of our current situation nor the fact that it causes fear in our hearts. But I must point us to God’s presence and power over this world. He goes before us, He lights the way, He knows. And He cares. ❤

More Encouragement on this Topic:

• This Is How God Turns Trials into Blessings
• Fruitful in Affliction
• How To Find The Beauty in Suffering