Sobriety through Insanity

I know. I know and I agree. It has been tough. It’s not been easy for me either. Everyone is going through this or the other. One a bit more pinching than the other. One is drowning, while the other is swimming against the tide. One is going through a fire, while another just through heat. But we can’t compare any two people’s situations. Every hurdle is a hurdle. Regardless. Through it all, I hear a voice saying We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Job losses, poverty everywhere, lives lost (and not being able to mourn them “properly”), Movement restrictions, no fellowships…name it all. It doesn’t look like “it should have been.” It’s a “what you ordered VS what you actually got” situation. Who knew 2020 had a weird surprise. Probably if we knew what was ahead, we wouldn’t have welcomed the year with so much ecstasy. I am sure if I were to randomly ask anyone their future plans, it would be so easy to answer me. But noooooo. Forget it. During these (COVID-19) tough times, it is easy to lose it. But today I am encouraged by Psalm 37:25. David says “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread”. The wise man in Proverbs 3:5-6 also said “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”

Friends, we have to remain sane during these tough times. Trusting in the Lord when times are difficult is not easy. But the truth is, there’s always a way. And believe me, the best way out is actually trusting in Him. Because even if you worried, there’s nothing you can do about it anyway. If you are not a believer, may I welcome you into this faith? It makes the situation way bearable. I don’t know who needs to hear this but God is bigger than that problem. He is bigger than all your fears. He is bigger than all those questions you’ve been having. He is bigger than any mountain that you can or cannot see. I would suggest a few tips of remaining sane amidst all the surrounding madness:

1. Accept that “it is what it is” but don’t lose your mind
2. Look at the bright side and focus on it
3. See God in everything that happens. See His power and thank Him for it
4. Look at yourself in the mirror and candidly reassure yourself that it shall be well eventually.
5. Pray. Pray. Even when you are unable to. Keep praying. You can join a prayer circle, or pray with friends. It is very encouraging
6. Have reliable and true friends
7. At times just sit back and breath in and out, not thinking about much. Feel the sun (or the cold, whichever), stare at the clouds, count the stars or get rained on for a few. Just let time move at your watch for a minute. It is so therapeutic trust me.
8. Read His encouraging word daily. It is a real source of encouragement. If possible stick some verses on a wall that you always look at so that they get stuck in your mind, the will always speak to you when in need .

A few verses listed below would help.

Psalms 138:8, Nehemiah 8:10, Matthew 10:31, Matthew 6:25-26, Romans 15:13, Psalm 46:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:35, Psalms 40;1-3, Isaiah 41:10, 1^st Peter 5:7, Joshua 1:9

9. Take it easy. I may not know what else to tell you, but deep down, just know God is working behind the scenes. It may look messy right now, but whatever the case, we have help. Hold on. I’m waiting for that testimony. Peace up.

 

From my heart to yours,

Fidi.