Momentum For Monday, January 10th 2022

“You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Well, it finally happened. Covid hit my household. Now, I know for some of you it’s no biggie. You’ve been there and done that, but we’ve somehow seemed to dodge this until now.

Honestly, this is not the best time for this to occur (but that’s the nature of sickness to be inconvenient, isn’t it?). I was set to get back into the swing of things. School is about to start up again. I have projects underway with planned meetings to attend. That changed suddenly with a quick slam of the breaks when my niece turned up sick.

I didn’t get angry. I didn’t freak. And honestly, I could have freaked because my quarantine may be pretty extensive because of work policies being pretty strict (which can impact my pay).

When situations like this occur, how do you settle yourself? How do you find north on your compass to navigate your way through? For me, perspective is what helps.

Yes, trying to figure out work has been a long nightmare, but my situation isn’t the worst. My niece isn’t super sick. We haven’t needed to go to the hospital for assistance. So many others have experienced worse because of this and that actually makes me grateful. So currently, I’m on forced rest and that’s exactly what I’ve done- rest.

Full disclosure, a younger me would have complained and whined to God about all this. I’d pout and be silently frustrated about it the entire time stressing about falling behind with work or finances. Now, don’t get me wrong, those issues concern me, but ultimately, I trust that God sees my situation and has my best interest in mind. This is simply beyond my control and while I can’t guarantee to be inoculated from sickness, I can inoculate my heart and head from becoming infected and bitter against God and others.

I’m not trying to preach like this is easy and that life will be peachy from here on out. There are certainly heavier crosses we bear that don’t even get talked about. However, I am saying that if you can settle yourself by a ruthless trust in God and his care and concern over you, then life’s worst can’t take you out mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. This shouldn’t just be our compass, but also “break glass in case of emergency” plan.

“He is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trusted in him, and he helped me. Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to him.”

(Psalm 28:7)