It’s hard to find someone in the world at the moment who doesn’t know about all the changes and challenges in the world. COVID-19 would seem the obvious one, but another is the struggle businesses are facing with being shut down for so long. Connected to this are the employees who haven’t had an income for several months, or if they have, it is severely reduced.
Now more than ever we are seeing a change in the way the world operates, how families now approach their lifestyle and children who are learning about a complete new way of living. It’s stressful on many levels.
But is this something that God warned us would happen? Can we find strength through His word to get through these troubling times? And what does He say about the changing way of living?
COVID-19
I saw a post on Facebook which gave us a new way of looking at the disease – Christ Over Viruses and Infectious Diseases. It is a reminder that God has everything under control and those who trust in Him will be saved. This isn’t to say that Christians won’t get COVID-19 or that they won’t die from it. But it does say that Christ is over and above it and He will protect us from it as per His plan.
Exodus chapter 23, verse 25 reminds us that God is in control of all diseases – “You shall serve the Lord your God…I will take sickness away from you.” Psalm chapter 103, verse 3 also supports this – “Who heals all your diseases?”
We can hold onto the knowledge that God is in control and He will protect His people. Nothing is out of His ability.
Closed businesses and income-stretched families
Many economists will tell you the last couple of decades have been full of opportunity. We are richer than ever, buying more than ever and living with more income. With the closures of businesses due to COVID-19, we are suddenly realising that money doesn’t go as far, that we have to budget and make sure we have enough money for the most important things – food, electricity, heating / cooling, medication and the like.
I wonder if this is our chance to reconsider what makes us rich, and whether money has become a master of us. Ecclesiastes chapter 5, verse 10 is very direct on this – “whoever loves money never has enough; whoever love wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
When surveyed, many people said if their income increased by 10% they would be happy. So, their income was raised to see the result. I’m sure you’re not surprised that suddenly that 10% wasn’t enough and they needed more to be “happy”. But God is reminding us that our master is Him, and not our money.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew chapter 6, verse 24.
You may think, “But I don’t serve money so I’m fine.” But consider this, how many TV’s do you have in your house? Do your children all have an iPad? How often do you upgrade your computer? You might think these things are harmless, but it’s important to consider if they are more important to you than following the guiding from God that you give extra to your church, especially when things are tough.
Changing our way of living
As families start struggling financially, they need to find new ways to get entertainment, new recipes that are budget friendly and similar. But they are also finding ways to talk to each other more than before, have fun together and find out what’s really important.
I have read several articles where people have realised their job is too stressful and they want to spend more time with their partner and their kids. Many people have decided their children flourished with homeschooling and they are now giving them that opportunity. Some families are selling up their houses so they can buy a caravan and go travelling.
When things get tough, we start to remember what is really important. We realise we want more than money. We realise how much our kids need us. And through that, we realise how much we need a Saviour to get us through this.
He is calling to us. He is challenging us to step back from the rat race and focus again on Him. Will you obey the call?
Emma Bamford from Melbourne is returning as a Press Service International writer for Christian Today. Emma is undertaking a part time theology course and is a qualified business marketer. A self-confessed Jesus girl, Emma writes to stir the heart of her readers into becoming more passionate and loving Christians.