I am never short on words. However, in the last several weeks, I find myself challenged with emotions and the inability to be able to communicate as I learn of innocent people dying and those who are being isolated through self-quarantine or under the shelter-in-place mandate due to this global pandemic.

I began writing this blog post on March 12, 2020, after spending time with God on my face praying for answers. I know without a doubt God revealed these things to me, but I questioned if I should share them or if this was our private Father-daughter conversation. Right now, there are many people who are sharing words of comfort and hope. There are others who have shared prophesy. I’m writing this post as a believer of Jesus, and one who has a calling to pray. Nothing more.

With that said…

I don’t know about you, but I’m torn between struggling, shocked, numb, and looking forward to opportunities. Wild combination wouldn’t you say?

Let me begin with sharing why I am struggling. 2020 came in like a roaring lion. Whether you believed a new decade was beginning or the fact that 2019 was finally over, there was pure excitement in the air. You could feel it ricocheting from one person to the next. People were over 2019 and had stepped boldly into 2020. Vision boards were created, dreams were being spoken, and life was in full swing. It hasn’t been three whole months, and the reality of hell has taken many people by storm.

Depending upon where you live, you may have experienced times of going to the store for milk, bread, and water due to snowstorms, ice warnings, or hurricanes. Today people are rushing stores for toilet paper, disinfectant products, paper towels, and cases of water. Why? I honestly do not have a real answer. Conducting my regular monthly shopping of paper products, I turned down several aisles in stores such as Kroger and Target to find empty shelves.

My dad, who is 84, asked me to take him to the store when the World Health Organization moved Coronavirus from a crisis to a pandemic. He wanted to experience history. Going early one morning, we entered the store. As he silently walked down the aisle, pushing the cart, he shook his head in disbelief. Finally, he whispered, “I have never seen anything like this in my lifetime.” Did I say that he is eighty-four?

Yes, I’m struggling and may go as far as to say I am lost, but I am reminded of the song by Andrea Crouch, “Through It All.”

Through it all,
through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God.

Through it all,
through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

Shocked. Watching the stocks tumble day after day has given me great pause. Yes, the world, to some degree, was expecting our financials to enter a roller-coaster stage, but nothing like this. I currently do not have any investments to my name, but I’m shocked that I now have an opportunity to buy while things are low. Yes, I’m shocked. I will actually be able to be a part of what’s to come.

Numb. I hear report after report of this global pandemic. It saddens me. It saddens me because I’m learning that those who are believers…followers of Jesus are running around panicking and operating out of fear. God’s Word says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” [2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV] Why are so many believers operating out of fear? Don’t we know Him? I’m reminded of this passage of Scripture in Matthew 16:13-20,

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.”

As believers, let’s start responding based upon knowing who we say Jesus is.

Opportunities. I’m so excited and looking forward to the opportunities to minister to others. I’m also elated to watch God reset the world. Yes, that is what I believe is happening. There’s a reset taking place balancing things out for those of us who have been praying for the manifestation of God’s glory to fall fresh. Without a doubt, I believe that God is showing Himself. I had been struggling with the number of people becoming sick and dying. I cannot answer why this is happening, yet I know that Jesus is real and that He is in control. I have been reading many old testaments Books of the Bible, and I see similarities. I cannot make sense of what’s going on, but I know God is speaking. The question is, “How will we respond?”

Friends, this is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. [Psalm 118:24] Okay, maybe I lost you with that particular scripture, but when I think about God and His Word, I cannot help but think He is doing a new thing. We don’t see it yet, but it’s coming. It has already begun.

Let’s consider the following:

1. Create a ministry plan of evangelism
2. Shop small businesses online
   • buy books from new or unknown authors,
   • purchase coaching sessions,
   • buy art from new, unknown, or young artists, etc
3. Be aware of who you may be passing by in the grocery store who may need assistance
4. Start a small group online for prayer or for Bible Study
5. Buy property and stocks
6. Purchase travel now for Thanksgiving and Christmas
7. Practice self-care
8. Eat well
9. Exercise [even if you are shelter-in-place]
   • walk around your home or apartment
   • use can goods and do arm lifts
   • have stairs? walk up and down a few times throughout the day
   • complete a set of pushups and sit-ups
   • dance

Let’s continue to pray and seek the face of the Lord. None of us know the day or the hour of His return, but’s let us agree to be ready.

What is God speaking to you in this season? Please share in the comment section below.

As a small business I’m offering the following two services at a significantly discounted rate during our international pandemic.

If you want to use this time to learn and grow, consider scheduling one-hour chat sessions with me. Many of us are at home working, building a business, writing a book, blog posts, or articles, and processing or producing content and plans alone. I’ve opened up session online chat or conference call for one hour. No need to go at it alone. Schedule today. Click here to schedule your one-hour session: https://atthetablewithgail.as.me/ChatSession

Or if you are looking for some spiritual direction: Within each of us dwells the desire to find meaning beyond the moment. I’m here to help as one who has over 100 hours of spiritual formation and soul care from Ashland Theological Seminary & Healing Care Ministries, and as an ordained pastor with spiritual gifting in prayer and intercession. Click here to purchase and schedule five sessions. https://atthetablewithgail.as.me/5spiritualcomfortersessions