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Scripture:
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or
what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life
more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air:
they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being
anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious
about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither
toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today
is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe
you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall
we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles
seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them
all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these
things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own
trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34)
How are you today? Typhoon Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses had just recently
hit the Philippines. I hope you are all well. In our life, we also experience
rain, storm, typhoons and other challenges, some are very light but some are
as strong as a typhoon. When faced with these challenges, how do we
react?
People are known not by how they act when they’re in control, but how they react when things are beyond their control. -John Maxwell
Think about these things...
Our reaction shows our Christianity. Jesus is the perfect example of someone
who has faced a lot of unpleasant things in his life but was never bitter, or
discourage.
My two sisters and my brother-in-law tested positive from the virus. Today is
my 18th day of quarantine since my first exposure to COVID19. I got tested
last October 30 and tested negative but because another one of my housemate
tested positive from the virus and it took days before she was placed in a
quarantine facility, I had another round of exposure, more risky than the
first. My quarantine period was extended and I have to live alone in our
rented apartment for 9 days now. On my birthday, I took another swab test
before returning back to the outside world. The next day, the result came out,
I am positive from the virus. I now have it in my system. For a moment, my
world crashed down. I have so many plans in my mind.
The month of November is my favorite month because there is always something
so exciting for me to look forward to, I have a bucket list of the things I
want to do, surfing, wakeboarding, climb a mountain, swim on a lake, chase
waterfalls, I have done all of those and this year I am prepared to go on a
trip to Cebu with my friends to go swimming with the whale sharks and
experience canyoneering, then pandemic happened and going on a trip seems like
an impossible thing to do. It was put aside, and then I planned my birthday
with my friend from my home town and decided to go freediving but was
cancelled because their change crew was cancelled. Then my high school
girlfriends organized a beach trip, we were all supposed to go home and chill
at the beach and just stare at the sunset but then I was put into quarantine.
And now, I will be placed in an isolation. What a turn of event. This is the
biggest storm in my life so far.
Our Reality
In this world you will have troubles
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world
you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John
16:33)
Jesus said so himself that we will have troubles. I am a COVID19 positive, and
I believe this is my main trouble that I am facing right now, you know what? I
am more positive that the Lord will never leave nor forsake me. How about you?
Maybe you are negative from the virus but you are positive from hatred?
Temptation? Broken-heartedness? fear, uncertainty? Isolation? How are we going
to face these troubles?
How should we react? What should we put in our minds and heart when typhoons
in our life happens?
1. Do not worry
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
2. Remember who is in control
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be
faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against
us? (Romans 8:31 )
3. Seek first the kingdom of God
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 )
4. Be a witness of Christ by our Christianity
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there
is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Conclusion:
These fruit of the spirit is not to be displayed only during easy times. These
are given to become part of our daily lives and be evident even in times of
trouble.
In this trying times, fellowship is very important. In Hebrews 10:24,25 it
says, “and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one
another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Be a witness of Christ by our reactions and by our actions.
Even in my isolation, I may be alone physically, but I am never lonely,
because God is with me.
Jesus will always be the vaccine.
Photo by: Nathaniel Callanta
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