Hey Momma, what a wild last week, huh? From funny jokes about toilet paper to all out panic and urgency. Kind of crazy how quickly things can escalate. I'll be totally honest with you, and let you know that I am not afraid. I think there is a divine work being done in the world, under the sovereign covering of God Almighty. I firmly believe that no matter what secrets, or lack of secrets, lies behind this pandemic, God is calling us, as wives, mothers, or simply Christian women, to stand in faith, trusting that He will never leave us or forsake us. Our stability, in unstable times, is a witness than words could not fully justify. But that doesn't take away from the uneasiness of the uncertain times, or the legitimate struggles of navigating this period with peace and rational thought, all the while still making sure you have enough beans, rice, diapers, and toilet paper. It is this particular mindset that has been a driving force for me personally during the periods of time that I, daily, have been spending in prayer and the Word over the past two weeks. It's too easy to get sucked into the news, the catchy, and sometimes frightening, headlines, the conspiracy theories and their possible implications, and the panic that you see on many peoples faces. It's easy to read a couple things and lose that rational part of your mind that is supposed to help you sort through the cryptic details being delivered by those you may or may not trust. It has caused me to search deep in scripture for God's words that will strengthen me when fear tries to take hold. I need His words when I don't know how to react from one moment to the next. I need His words to remind me that no matter how bad everything gets, no matter how this might effect me personally, He still wins in the end. I need His word to remind me that no outside circumstances could possibly separate me from Jesus' love. These are not new needs that I have thanks to Coronavirus. These are the needs of every believer, of every era, of every location. Because the Bible has always been clear that life is not void of pain. Life in fact, has much pain and much turmoil, and to believe any different is foolishness. But when we walk closely with Jesus, there is no reason to be disturbed, or uprooted. There is no reason for our faith to be shaken, or God's goodness to be questioned. It is easy, especially in crisis, to only see the world as it is now; trapped by time and space, filled with wickedness, hopelessness, and pandemics. Our world is not eternal, and our flesh most certainly is not. Scripture says that we are all like grass, here one day and withered and blown away the next (1 Peter 1:24). Yet, we feel like life is so long, and our troubles so intense. Yet, it is if we literally only exist for a moment on a much grander scale. So our suffering and worry is but for the smallest measurement of a second, and our life only a minute on the clock of humanity. Keeping our temporal humanity in mind is vital for us as Christians. Only then can we really look to eternity with deep expectancy. Expectancy, not fear of the unknown, but excitement of what really awaits us. Because of all these things, I really want to take this week and dedicate it to all the believing women out there who need a word from God in this interesting season. I want to share scriptures with you to lift up and encourage your heart. I want to remind you that no matter what your week looks like, no matter what the media says, no matter what the doctors and nurses on social media say, God still holds all things together, and we have a hope much deeper than any anti-malaria drug or bailout or stimulus package could deliver. Scriptures to Encourage a Woman's Heart7 "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-- 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:7-11 ESV Anyone who loves his life loses it, but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. [Whoever has no love for, no concern for, no regard for his life here on earth, but despises it, preserves his life forever and ever.] John 12:25 AMPC Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. Isaiah 41:10 AMPC 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! 3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust andfind refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. 8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, 10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. 11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. 12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. 14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation. Psalm 91 AMPC (Emphasis mine) 12 Here [comes in a call for] the steadfastness of the saints [the patience, the endurance of the people of God], those who [habitually] keep God’s commandments and [their] faith in Jesus. 13 Then I heard further [perceiving the distinct words of] a voice from heaven, saying, Write this: Blessed (happy, to be envied) are the dead from now on who die in the Lord! Yes, blessed (happy, to be envied indeed), says the Spirit, [in] that they may rest from their labors, for their works (deeds) do follow (attend, accompany) them! Revelation 14:12-13 AMPC 24 For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like [the] flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off, 25 But the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:24-25 AMPC 33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33 AMPC 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. 29 He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; 31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Isaiah 40:28-31 AMPC 20 Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep and guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Exodus 23:20 AMPC 31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? 32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. 33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34 AMPC Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 I am praying for you, ladies. You are in my heart, and I pray you would walk out this week in boldness in strength, knowing when you walk with God there is no enemy that can pluck you out of His hand. If you need encouragement, reach out. If you want more scriptures to encourage you in your place of need, be sure to comment. We are in this together. You are not alone. Let this be a time that draws you into a place of deeper holiness and sincerity in your walk with Christ Jesus.
XOXOX, Shell
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