When Life Becomes Scary ~ Guest Post by Amanda Ashley

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."

Psalm 56:3

Source

The world doesn't look the same as it did a few weeks ago. Most of us never imagined even three weeks ago that we could be facing what we are facing right now. We suddenly don't feel “safe.”  I've had my own share of fears and anxieties as we've watched this pandemic unfold.  Will we get sick?  Will our economy recover?  Will someone I love die from it?  Will my kids be okay?

While the way the virus is wreaking havoc is heartbreaking, there's something else that I have found breaking my heart.  It's the fear I see others struggling with.  It's the fear I see in the stranger's eyes at the grocery store as they move their cart as far away as possible from me.  It's the anxiety I see when the mail lady drops a package off to me at my house, placing it as far as possible away from me and instead of our usual chat she runs to the safety of her vehicle before I have a chance to share a moment with her.  It's the people online sharing fear-inducing article after fear-inducing article because they are downright scared too and desperately want their loved ones to be safe.

Many believers are also struggling with the same fear.  And I have to wonder – have we forgotten who is sovereign?  Have we forgotten who holds our hands?  Have we forgotten that the one who has numbered our days has a plan for each of our lives?

Please don't hear me wrong – I don't think we should throw caution to the wind and be reckless.  But even with safeguards in place we need to realize that we can only do so much and that ultimately it is God who is in control.

Yes, wash your hands.  Practice social distancing, and stay home, but as for the rest, put your trust in the Almighty Father whose plan is perfect.

How easy it is for us to trust God when everything is going well.  To praise Him when when life is feeling pretty good. But to trust Him when life has been turned upside down and is downright scary, that's a lot harder.

But you know what? God is not surprised by any of what is going on.  He knew what was going to happen.  He knows how this is going to end.  And He will be by our side every step of the way as we go through this trial.

He loves us deeply and wants us to find our strength and comfort in Him.  While so much of our life has been stripped away – our friends, our church building, our jobs, our access to certain stores and merchandise, our entertainment – one thing has not been stripped away and can NEVER be taken from us, and that is God.

He IS enough for us.

Friend, I know it's scary right now.  I know you are tired and weary.  I know you may be afraid of how this will all end.  I get it.  I've had my moments too.

Did you know that fear is mentioned over 300 times in the Bible?  God knew we would struggle with fear and so He was sure to give us plenty of scriptures to remind us that we do not need to fear but instead to keep our eyes on Him.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid.  Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  - Joshua 1:9

During this difficult time we can cling to God.  He's got this.  He is with you WHEREVER you go.  Not just SOME places you go.  No, the verse says “WHEREVER.”  That means He is with you when you go into the grocery store and are worried you could pick up the virus.  When you go to pay your bills and are unsure how to pay for it all because you've been laid off from your job.  When you are in your bedroom and you shed some tears because you are so lonely from all this “social distancing.”  When you are so tired from caring for your little ones and can't call a family member to come over and give you a hand.

He is there through it all, for every single moment.  He is enough for you and will give you strength to persevere.  We can trust that His word is true and we can look to the scriptures to remind ourselves that God has promised that He will walk with us through it all.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring.  I don't know when this pandemic will end.  I don't know where our economy will be once this is over.  I don't know if we will lose loved ones or get sick ourselves.  I don't know how the other side of this looks like.  But what I do know is that God is there, loving us and encouraging us to have courage in the face of fear.  He is still on the throne.  He is still in control.  And He won't leave you through it all, not for one second.  

Bio: Amanda Ashley lives with her husband, three kids, dog, and chickens on her 2 acre homestead in Canada.  She spends her days homesteading, homeschooling, and working from home on her blog, Simple Life of a Country Wife.  You can find her over on Facebook, Instagram, or at her Youtube Channel.

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Please stop by and visit Amanda at her blog and social media sites listed above where you will find a wealth of homesteading information and Godly encouragement.

I Will Fear No More ~ The Afters

I so appreciate Amanda and all of the other guest authors sharing words of hope with us here!

Stay the course, dear friends, and keep looking up!

God is still with us.