What is going on everyone!! So, with all that is going on in our world, I just wanted to write about something that has been on my heart pretty heavily this past week. What has been on my heart is the word perspective. Perspective is an expressed point of view of how something is seen. In regards to current events, we cannot let fear be the foundation of how we live our lives. Our perspective should be one of faith and wisdom. It is not faith that says, “My God will protect me so I don’t worry about washing my hands or taking care of my body”. That is stupidity, and not the kind of faith that God is calling us to. God wants us to have faith, but He also desires for us to wash our hands, and to follow the guidelines that medical professionals give us, and other aspects like that.
Personally speaking, perspective looks like this: Yes this virus is not a good situation by any means, BUT I know that my God is sovereign and He has a plan of redemption for me. I think our perspective as believers should derive from the Scriptures. That happens when head knowledge becomes heart application and unshakable faith. One scripture that has been on my heart is that, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). I hold onto this statement of faith because it lets me know that I can be confident to see all that God has for me while here on earth.
Another example of a great perspective is this: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13). I love this because Paul is telling the people that he knows what it is like to be in every kind of situation. Paul was in prison while he wrote this letter, so I would imagine that he knows how it feels to be in a really bad circumstance. Even with being in prison, his heart was convinced that there was still a plan and that things would work out somehow.
I am not saying that we need to have this blind hope, but rather the total opposite. Our hope is in the One who conquered the grave. If Jesus could be resurrected from the dead, who is to say that He doesn’t know what is going on in our world now? Our faith cannot end when our understanding also ends. Rather, our faith should begin when our understanding declines.
If I could be so bold, our perspective should be: Yes, during this epidemic, I do need to be careful. I do need to follow the wisdom of medical experts. At the same time, I will not live in fear or panic because I know the One who created the galaxies, and who holds my world in His hands. If Jesus says over and over to not fear, then I am not going to fear. This will pass, and I will continue to fervently pray and intercede for those who are affected, and that I will pray for healing and recovery in the name of Jesus.
Much Love,
Ryan W.
