Joy in Trials: Coronavirus
Jerry Bridges tells us in 31 Days Toward Trusting God that trials develop our spiritual muscles. Without adversity, we are weak and childlike in our relationship with God: carefree, praying for good things if we pray at all. Bridges also reminds us that God does not bring useless pain into our lives. God controls everything, has always controlled everything, and will always control everything. God also deeply loves us, as a father loves his children. As our heavenly father, we can trust that God has a good plan for us.
David marvels at this idea in Psalm 139 verse 16 saying, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me when as yet there were none of them” (NKJV). God knows us so perfectly, so completely, so fully, that He knows, not only how long we’ll live, but how we will live. He planned out the days of our lives before we were even ideas in our parents’ heads. And His plan included giving us trials.
Lately, the world is united in concern over the Coronavirus. We can choose to look at this global phenomenon as a raging pandemic, or as a chance to develop our spiritual muscles. To practice this shift in perspective, I will use James 1:2 as my frame of reference: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
I can thank God for the Coronavirus because… He is giving me the chance to pray about a sickness that is completely out of my control rather than worry (Psalm 46:1
I can thank God for the Coronavirus because…He is giving me more opportunities to seek Him for patience (James 1:3)
I can thank God for the Coronavirus because…He has provided before and I can trust that he will provide for me now (2 Peter 1:3)
I can find joy through the Coronavirus because…God is my friend who did not give me a fearful spirit (2 Timothy 1:7)
I can find joy through the Coronavirus because…less time working gives me more time to ponder my friendship with God (Psalm 119:161)
I can find joy through the Coronavirus because…I am reminded of my life without God and my life is better with Him (Ephesians 2:12)
May God bring you peace during this time
-A