2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Is my spirit being renewed every day?
Where am I looking? Am I fixated on the 24/7 coverage of the virus, or am I looking at the things I can not see, the coming glory of Jesus Christ?
Am I focused on my relationship with God, or is it focused on the inconvenience that I am now facing instead of how I knew life three weeks ago with everything being turned upside down?
Or am I focusing on the sacrifices that I am going to have to make because my income is in jeopardy?
What I am finding is that my focus is going to everything that it should have been before all of this started:
1. Concern for the well being of my family. My wife, kids, parents, siblings, church family, close friends, co-workers, and people in general.
This event is going to have a ripple effect that will be felt for years.
The sooner we connect with the promises of God and start living our lives in obedience to His will, the sooner we will live in His Devine peace and joy.
Is my confidence in God and His ability, or is it based on the things that I feel that I need to control?
2. I’m looking at the things I am spending my money on.
I am looking to cut every unnecessary expense and getting rid of it.
It’s incredible what a pay adjustment will do to get you to do what you should have been doing in the first place.
The truth is, this event is in God’s hands. I’m not quite sure why He does these types of things, but the only conclusion that I come to as I think about it is that He is looking to get our attention.
When I read Revelations, the events that come to pass increase in severity.
Think about it like this, as a parent, when I used to discipline my kids; it always started with a gentle redirection and tone; they wouldn’t respond, the tone got a little louder and forceful, and this generally increased until the spanking happened.
Hebrews 12:11-13 NLT
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
We can resist this and struggle, or we can get on our knees and submit and adjust how we think and what we do and get back in line with God’s Will.
Or we can focus on the things outside of our control, grumbling and complaining all the way, and prolong what is going on until God gets His way.
And His Will will be accomplished.
Heavenly Father, please give me the strength, courage, and willingness to stay focused on Your Will.
Thank You for Your Word and Your promises. Let Your Word dwell richly in my mind and let it affect my attitude and actions, and let my words, attitudes, and actions glorify You.
Let my life be an example of a submitted life. Submitted to Your Word and marked with a pattern of obedience.
Thank You for Your grace, mercy and forgiveness.
In the loving name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
