On Faith- Faith and Coronavirus

What a year it’s been and we’re barely halfway through! While I want to talk about faith and the Coronavirus, there is also so much going on in the world around police brutality, racism, justice and equality. In fact, there has been so much focus on the protests that have surged since the death of George Floyd, it has been almost easy to forget that the Coronavirus is still out there, still impacting our lives in very real social and economic ways. So today, I want to wrap up my thoughts, for now, on Coronavirus from the perspective of faith. I will follow up soon with a post on other current events.

COVID-19 has been with us for many months now. We have been sheltering in place for about 12 weeks. It would be an understatement to say that it’s been tough living through a global pandemic. But the thing is we’re doing it. We might not all be thriving but we’re generally surviving, adapting and adjusting to this new way of life. I know that for some people this has been a very painful time, due to losing loved ones or losing jobs and businesses. I don’t want to minimize anyone’s pain or struggle during this time, but I do want to try and focus on some of the positives and the role faith can play for us right now.

There are some things that are difficult to do at any point in life when trouble comes our way. For one, it’s difficult to see an end to the struggle. We all find ourselves in situations where we feel like the darkness will never lift no matter what we do. Second, it’s difficult to believe God is good when we are experiencing bad things. It can be difficult to believe God is even there or cares at all when we are in the midst of trouble. Lastly, it’s difficult to trust that some positive outcome can come from the fight we are in, especially when we feel like we are getting beat down by our circumstances. The only way that we successfully face trouble and get to the other side is by strengthening ourselves with faith.

COVID-19 is a struggle that we are all going through collectively. No one can see an end in sight. We know that some version of “shelter in place” and social distancing will continue until there is a vaccine for the virus. Even as some businesses are now being allowed to reopen, the ways that they operate will look very different than before. And even as we lift more and more restrictions, we cannot undo the last months of pain and struggle. It will take a long time for us, individually and as a nation, to recover from this pandemic. It will take a long time for people to recover financially and a long time for people to process and deal with the trauma of this situation. So even when there is a vaccine and we can get back to some semblance of normal life, that will not be “the end” for many people.

Faith will need to carry us through this pandemic and beyond. Faith will need to carry us through the rebuilding and the healing that is to come. But I believe that we can get there, no matter how long it takes. Because, not only do I have faith in the sovereignty of God, but I also have faith in the goodness of humanity. I believe that people will come together to help one another get back up on their feet. People will come together to treat each other’s wounds, whether those are physical, mental or emotional. Because the pain and trauma we’ve experienced in this life is not just for us to experience, it’s for others to benefit from as well. That might sound strange to say but it’s true.

Whatever struggle you have endured, you are in a unique position to help someone who is enduring a similar struggle now. So, someone might lose their business due to COVID-19 but still find a way to overcome that setback. Now, they are in a position to help the next person who’s business is affected during the pandemic. I ask that you have faith that the current situation we are in will end. I ask that you have faith in your ability to endure whatever comes your way. That you have faith that when it’s all said and done, you will receive all the help you need to put your life back together, one helping hand at a time. And I ask that you have faith that your struggle will also be used to help someone else along the way.

Are you wondering where God is in all of this? I’m sure you’re not alone. I can’t begin to imagine what God is doing in the midst of this, but I have no doubt that he is there. I have no doubt that He is at work, shifting this situation for our good. Because I trust that God IS good and wants the best for His children. Certainly I can’t say if the Coronavirus is part of some divine plan. I can’t say if the virus is an attack from the enemy. But I know that no matter what, God will have the final say. So I look forward to the end result, because whatever comes from this I know it will reflect the loving, merciful heart of my God.

In my own life, I have learned the power of praising and worshipping the Lord despite my circumstances. I think this is such a powerful display of faith. It says that no matter what is going on around me, no matter how bad things look or feel, I can still say “thank you Jesus.” I can be thankful for the sacrifice Jesus already made to give me new life. I can be thankful for the work Jesus is doing in my life right now. And I can be thankful for the breakthrough that is coming. No matter how COVID-19 has affected you, I pray that you can still see the goodness of God. I pray that you get to know Him even better during this trial and that you are able to say “thank you” for every large and small thing He has done for you. I am confident that when this pandemic ends, we will have seen the hand of God, the heart of God, and the glory of God through it all.

Do positive things come from pain and tragedy? In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need pain and tragedy to grow. But for some reason, that is generally the way things go. The very thing we sometimes think will kill us, somehow gives us life and the ability to go on in a transformative way. I just finished reading a book called “Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg. In it she details numerous people, including herself, who have endured horrific losses and eventually rose up beyond the pain to create new meaning in their lives and found ways to inspire and help others. Many of these people recognized that they wouldn’t have taken these steps if it wasn’t for the loss they experienced. Of course, like us all, they’d prefer not to have endured what they did. But ultimately, they were pushed far beyond their comfort zones, far beyond the threshold of pain, and into a space where the tragedy propelled them into deep reflection, growth and change.

I do not know what you are facing during this pandemic, but I do know there is the opportunity for something positive to come out of all of this. If you are looking from the right angle, you just might see that sliver of gold in the cracks of this difficult time. Maybe you can see it now, or maybe you will see it after the craziness is all over. But I guarantee you that it is there. Something positive is happening or is on its way. You are learning to slow down and be still. You are reconnecting with family. You are realizing that you don’t love your job and it’s time for a career change. You are writing that book you’ve always wanted to write. You are growing closer to God. You lost your job and decided to start your own business. You are facing long buried trauma and finally healing. You are exercising more. The list could go on. If you are looking from the right vantage point, you will find that there is a lot to be positive about right now and plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future.

I know from experience it can be hard to see an end to our struggles. It can be hard to trust that God is still good when our circumstances look so bad. It’s difficult to believe that anything positive can come from a negative situation. But these things become less difficult to do as your faith increases. I am hopeful that COVID-19 will be more than a tragic pandemic. I am hopeful that it will be a worldwide faith strengthening event. Faith will keep us going in every moment that we feel we don’t have anything left to give. Faith will help us see the true nature of God and won’t allow the negativity of our troubles to muddy our view of a good and loving Heavenly Father. Faith will give us the endurance to make it through any trial and it will give us the perspective to see all that we gained while we were stuck in the valley. We are stuck in the valley together my friends. Let’s encourage one another through it and collectively believe that we will emerge better and stronger, but also softer and more responsive to one another’s needs. Let us be changed on the inside and never forget what we have learned and how we have grown in this moment in time. Let us be propelled forward into a future where we are more resilient, more connected, more vulnerable and more loving. Though we have an uphill climb ahead, let our faith grow stronger every step of the way. Our faith in God, each other, and the love and goodness of our collective humanity.