Finding Peace in the Midst of Fear

On today's episode, I wanted to take a break from our look at the Story of the Bible to talk about what I suspect some of you are feeling today. Word just came out that there are over three million Americans unemployed due to Covid-19. Several people I know are either among them or have family members who are struggling with coming to grips with this new reality and the financial uncertainty it brings on their families. And as is true during any period of fear and uncertainty, we usually find our ourselves with questions about God. Where is he? Will he be there for me? Am I to blame for my own circumstances? Those are all common questions.

In response to that fear and uncertainty, I want to tell you about a time in our own lives, on the heels of the real estate collapse in 2008, when we went through a very similar situation, with the same anxiety, fear, doubt, and frankly, terror. It was an absolute white knuckle ride for our family. But what we learned during that time and the way the Lord carried us and provided for us and changed us is something that none of us would trade for anything in the world. The Lord gave us an absolute gift during the struggle - not by sparing us from the struggle or the fallout from it - but from carrying us through it and revealing himself to us in completely new ways.

We've had some hard times since then, including some way more difficult than that. But because of that journey and the things we learned about God, we have never faced difficulty with that kind of anxiety and fear again. The Lord is a rock that we can lean on, and the secret sauce of living with a "peace that passes understanding" is trust.

I hope that what we talk about in this episode will be a blessing to you, especially if you find yourself on shifting sands due to the Coronavirus and face an uncertain future. Lean into God. Look for him in the midst of the difficulty you're facing, and he really will show up and carry you through . . .

Because you are GREATLY loved!