Remembering God’s Promises

I, like most of the world have been in my home for an extended period of time.  I have baked, read books that were piled up by my bed, cut my own hair (I was a hairdresser many years ago), cut my husband’s hair, organized closets, planted plants in our small garden…….the list goes on.  The thing that bothers me is these are things I should have already been doing in my “normal” life because they are things I love to do!

I was so guided away from these things because of my need to be “busy” with work and my ministry that I had forgotten what I enjoyed doing.  I also recognized that even though I was in God’s Word daily I wasn’t absorbing it because of my “busyness”.   I decided after a month in isolation to reminisce about God’s Promises and to look at a few of them each day.

The first one I really focused on was the promise that God delivers us through trials.  I looked again at 1 Samuel 17, the story of David defeating Goliath.  I likened Goliath to the Coronavirus, our giant of today.  The story shows how the littlest man defeats the biggest giant with a simple shot of a stone.  David was patient and took his shot at just the right time.  We need to be patience with our physical separation at this time in order to allow God to take that shot at the virus. We can’t control it so we need to let God handle it and bring us through. He has the slingshot for this problem we don’t.

God promised to bring us through this.  God cannot lie so we know this to be true.

1 Samuel 17:50  So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

Another promise is the Holy Spirit will dwell in us as a gift from God.  Simply this means that God has gifted us with His presence always in our hearts and bodies. 1 Corinthians 3:16 reads:

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

The Holy Spirit is a gift we receive because God loves us. It includes love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.  All qualities I need during this time of isolation.  I need to stand in my faith, be kind to my husband instead of being short, I need to give and donate to others that have lost jobs and most of all I need to practice self-control and not be impatient because I want to go and do things that are currently prohibited.  I need to feel and listen to the Holy Spirit guiding me through this time.

Let’s also remember the promise that God provides for our every need.  People panicked at the beginning of this crisis hording things like toilet paper, flour and other things I didn’t understand.  Fear plagued many and they rushed out to get what they needed causing us to think only of ourselves first.  They took everything they could carry and didn’t leave supplies for their neighbor.  I too was fearful at the beginning since I have seen many days in Illinois that if heavy snow was in the weather forecast all the weatherperson had to say was, “Folks we are going to be stuck inside for several days!” and the milk, bread, diapers, etc. would vanish immediately from store shelves.  Most of the time the snow didn’t come in a heavy downfall and people had bread molding and milk spoiling.  Waste because of fear.  I wonder how many garages and storage units are filled with toilet paper, paper towels, cleaners and masks?

I never have understood the shortage of toilet paper since this isn’t an intestinal virus.  I hope to understand that someday.  We have been fortunate in my household that we can find anything we really need with the exception of disinfectant sprays which are being prioritized to medical facilities.  In the beginning we did see some food shortages in the first few weeks. There are many things to be grateful for during this period in time.  We have food in our pantry and refrigerator, received a stimulus check, we remain healthy and I stand in faith that God is providing for my family.  We actually have received some very special blessings during this time that weren’t expected showing us God loves us and blesses us no matter what the situation is.  I do know there are people suffering during this and I pray daily for them and give to the food banks and donate to our local efforts to help our community.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Another promise is that God has angels watching over us.  Psalm 91:11 says:

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

I have had anxiety flares several times during this last month of isolation.  Fears of my parents becoming infected, fearful my husband would lose his job, fearful that people are suffering and I can’t reach out to them like the domestic abuse victims as cases are skyrocketing in our community. I am reading a book right now called, “Saints and Angels” and I am learning how angels are placed with us by God for guidance and comfort among other things.  It helps me to understand these workers of God and how to notice their help when I need comforted.  I personally have always been connected spiritually to the number 11.  Every time I see an 11 I feel God’s warmth in my heart and know He is with me along with His angels.  Maybe you see a cardinal or a certain flower as a special symbol that may represent your angels being with you.

Lastly I would like to speak of the promise that God will never leave me.  He loves me unconditionally and understands I will fall in doubt and sin because I am human yet he always loves me and welcomes me back after a quiet period of not being in His Word.  I know during this time my mind has wondered and I lost valuable time watching TV or playing Candy Crush (yes I am one of those people).  I now do feel His prod daily to get off the couch and spread His Word through social media or Zoom.  I need to proclaim His Goodness to those falling away and becoming distant by whatever means I can so here I am friends, reminding you of God’s beautiful plan for us to have amazing and abundant lives.

Deuteronomy 31:8  It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

If this virus and isolation is taking a toll on your, please study God’s promises for you.  He has over 700 promises he shares with us in faith.  I promise there is one for anything you are going through whether it is financial, in your relationship, your health, your future or a myriad of other things remember there is a promise from God to handle it for you.  I am blessed with each of you that read my blogs, listen to my podcast or see my Facebook scripture every morning.  I am grateful for you and pray daily for you-love LoLo