During 2020, we were stuck right in the middle of the pandemic. If I recall, Joplin was the hotbed for the country during one of the months. Hard to believe that it’s been that long ago. In May 2023, President Biden declared that the public health emergency and the national state of emergency had both ended. Much of life has returned to normal. But it is definitely a new normal. Just think about how people work remotely. Definitely an example of the new normal. Although the pandemic may be over, there are still lingering effects. For me, it’s how I view things. What is important. What really is not important.
As life moves on, COVID-19 is still a virus that mutates into other variants. There will be infections. There will be sickness. And for some, there will be death. It is here. It’s not going anywhere. I am not sure we will ever know the exact number of infections. But I’m certain it is well in the millions world wide. COVID-19 leaves people with numerous questions for God. For many of us, I imagine that the virus attacked them emotionally. Mentally. And spiritually. Chances are that you know someone personally who had the virus. Maybe even lost someone to it. My family had to face the death of the man who raised me. It was shocking. I felt countless unexplainable emotions. Anger. Sadness. Abandonment. Confusion. Helpless.
In the Bible, we read of people feeling the same feelings. David is an example. David felt anger and anguish. But just as he was feeling these feelings, he felt confidence. And he also was able to praise God. Even when going through difficulty and pain, David found rest in God. We can too. I never doubted God‘s presence through all the turmoil that we went through with COVID-19. Actually, he comforted me throughout the whole time. I felt his love. His unfailing love. And I was reminded that God is forever. The pandemic is not. I was reminded that even when we stare death in the face, God is with us. Pain and suffering is part of this world. It’s part of life. But the hope and peace that we get from God overcomes it all.
