Corona Virus & Finding Peace March 16, 2020
A lot is going on in the world today as I write this. News of Coronavirus COVED19 has basically been the topic of every single news station and social media platform for days now. After getting my "updates," I realized there's not a lot we can do with the situation other than being conservative in our interactions for a time. This too, shall pass. Once I had prepared and read all of the information from the top local and state agencies, I became content and relaxed. I had prepared my family, and I will be fine. Even if we did contract the virus, we knew how to take care of our body and felt secure in the situation. I slept peacefully last night. I feel peaceful this morning.
I enjoy reading scripture. It's something I have grown to count on, especially during anxious times. The one scripture that has always brought me deep inner peace is Psalm 91. Those beautiful ancient words of wisdom have been a refuge for me in so many trying times in my life. I can recite portions from memory. What a gift that Psalm is to me and many others.
So, after aligning my mind, I am not scared or worried. If at any time I become anxious (and I still have my days!), I simply turn my eyes back to Jesus and his faithful words. His words have never failed me. His words have always reached deep into my anxious, tired, worried soul, and given me the peace, rest, and reassurance I have needed. Today is no different than yesterday.
For instance, right now, I am sitting in a little garden I created for myself. To my right is a three-foot Sapote Mamey Tree with beautiful 14 inch long green leaves, to my left is a thee foot Jackfruit tree with bright little leaves reaching up towards the sun. She looks so joyous! All around my feet are these amazing little furry, leafed, flowered herbs I planted, such as Motherwort, Fennel, Pink Clover, and Stinging Nettle. The plants that hug my shoulders are a yellowish-green curved luscious stalked Corn plant and Pony Tail Palm with its wispy tendrils dancing and swaying in the warm Florida breeze today. Next to those are other palms and plants crowding around, keeping me and my space shaded.
As I look out across the way in front of me, I can see a beautiful bush of Basil, Rosemary, and Sage I planted from seed, along with Mint and Cuban Oregano. I love cooking with fresh herbs or making a medicinal tea. As I lift my head a little past that I can see many more of the little trees, plants, fruits, and herbs we have. It's a small space, but what joy it brings to me daily. I can't wait to see my Italian tomatoes grow fruit!
I love waking up and bringing a glass of herbal tea or fresh-pressed juice to my little oasis and writing a blog or shooting pictures of the stages of my plants. I have learned so much about planting, watering, and feeding my little treasures. I think of them as little children. How beautiful it is to see God's love for me sprinkled all around. I am hoping for my own land soon, but in the meantime, I am blooming where I am planted.
Instead of thinking about where I want to be, I can enjoy where I am right now. Life is all about where we choose to focus. Sometimes it can be challenging to remember to look up instead of all around us. With the media and many people's propensity to fear (seems to come most natural to us fragile humans), do we choose to look at all the "fear" around us, or do we see choose to look towards and experience God's provision in the midst of the storm? We always have the freedom to choose.
Isn't it curious how the bible says "fear not" on so many occasions? It 'seems to me that God knows how fragile we are. He is always admonishing us to fear only him. If God is for us, then who can be against us? The "fear' God calls us to is different from the "fear" people think of today. When we "fear" God (know who God is) and understand rightly that God is "Faithful & True," then we realize he has the whole world under his control. We learn to love him completely, for he draws us with lovingkindness. Perfect love casts out fear. We fear when we haven't been made perfect by knowing who God is.
It may seem like the world is spinning out of control, but it's not out of God's control. He knows exactly what is going on. His peace is there for those who will focus on it. Getting to know God through scripture, nature, and prayer is a beautiful privilege. I no longer pray when only desperate but also remember that prayer is a blessed gift. We have a King that is full of love and compassion towards us! We have a King that hears us and even communes back to us through his Word, through nature, and through providence. God truly is GOOD. When we listen to him, our lives are blessed with the peace that surpasses all understanding.
As the sun hits my toes and my feet soak up the healing vitamin D, I glance at my glass jar full of fresh-squeezed beautiful golden frothy orange juice, full of healing vitamin C, just perfect for my body, delicious to my soul. I am reminded that I have all that I could ever need at this moment - a Creator who made me and loves me and a true and faithful friend that sticks closer than any other.
So if you are finding yourself anxious or afraid in any situation, remember that where you focus can mean the difference between light or dark. Look to the light.
Here are some beautiful bible promises of light to reflect upon. By beholding, we become!
Hebrews 10:23 — "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Revelation 19:11— "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he judges and makes war."
And my all-time favorite Psalm 91
I enjoy reading scripture. It's something I have grown to count on, especially during anxious times. The one scripture that has always brought me deep inner peace is Psalm 91. Those beautiful ancient words of wisdom have been a refuge for me in so many trying times in my life. I can recite portions from memory. What a gift that Psalm is to me and many others.
So, after aligning my mind, I am not scared or worried. If at any time I become anxious (and I still have my days!), I simply turn my eyes back to Jesus and his faithful words. His words have never failed me. His words have always reached deep into my anxious, tired, worried soul, and given me the peace, rest, and reassurance I have needed. Today is no different than yesterday.
For instance, right now, I am sitting in a little garden I created for myself. To my right is a three-foot Sapote Mamey Tree with beautiful 14 inch long green leaves, to my left is a thee foot Jackfruit tree with bright little leaves reaching up towards the sun. She looks so joyous! All around my feet are these amazing little furry, leafed, flowered herbs I planted, such as Motherwort, Fennel, Pink Clover, and Stinging Nettle. The plants that hug my shoulders are a yellowish-green curved luscious stalked Corn plant and Pony Tail Palm with its wispy tendrils dancing and swaying in the warm Florida breeze today. Next to those are other palms and plants crowding around, keeping me and my space shaded.
As I look out across the way in front of me, I can see a beautiful bush of Basil, Rosemary, and Sage I planted from seed, along with Mint and Cuban Oregano. I love cooking with fresh herbs or making a medicinal tea. As I lift my head a little past that I can see many more of the little trees, plants, fruits, and herbs we have. It's a small space, but what joy it brings to me daily. I can't wait to see my Italian tomatoes grow fruit!
I love waking up and bringing a glass of herbal tea or fresh-pressed juice to my little oasis and writing a blog or shooting pictures of the stages of my plants. I have learned so much about planting, watering, and feeding my little treasures. I think of them as little children. How beautiful it is to see God's love for me sprinkled all around. I am hoping for my own land soon, but in the meantime, I am blooming where I am planted.
Instead of thinking about where I want to be, I can enjoy where I am right now. Life is all about where we choose to focus. Sometimes it can be challenging to remember to look up instead of all around us. With the media and many people's propensity to fear (seems to come most natural to us fragile humans), do we choose to look at all the "fear" around us, or do we see choose to look towards and experience God's provision in the midst of the storm? We always have the freedom to choose.
Isn't it curious how the bible says "fear not" on so many occasions? It 'seems to me that God knows how fragile we are. He is always admonishing us to fear only him. If God is for us, then who can be against us? The "fear' God calls us to is different from the "fear" people think of today. When we "fear" God (know who God is) and understand rightly that God is "Faithful & True," then we realize he has the whole world under his control. We learn to love him completely, for he draws us with lovingkindness. Perfect love casts out fear. We fear when we haven't been made perfect by knowing who God is.
It may seem like the world is spinning out of control, but it's not out of God's control. He knows exactly what is going on. His peace is there for those who will focus on it. Getting to know God through scripture, nature, and prayer is a beautiful privilege. I no longer pray when only desperate but also remember that prayer is a blessed gift. We have a King that is full of love and compassion towards us! We have a King that hears us and even communes back to us through his Word, through nature, and through providence. God truly is GOOD. When we listen to him, our lives are blessed with the peace that surpasses all understanding.
As the sun hits my toes and my feet soak up the healing vitamin D, I glance at my glass jar full of fresh-squeezed beautiful golden frothy orange juice, full of healing vitamin C, just perfect for my body, delicious to my soul. I am reminded that I have all that I could ever need at this moment - a Creator who made me and loves me and a true and faithful friend that sticks closer than any other.
So if you are finding yourself anxious or afraid in any situation, remember that where you focus can mean the difference between light or dark. Look to the light.
Here are some beautiful bible promises of light to reflect upon. By beholding, we become!
Psalm 36:5— "Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds."
Lamentations 3:22-23 "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Hebrews 10:23 — "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Revelation 19:11— "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he judges and makes war."
And my all-time favorite Psalm 91
91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
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