Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
I know it’s hard to maintain faith and hope in times like these. There are days I struggle to be positive.
For me, faith is not a gimmick for getting what I want, or what I think I deserve. Faith, for me, is about trusting that the Creator holds me and protects me during these difficult times. Faith is not a confidence that I can have my own way. Faith is actually the confidence and reliance in the One, Who, knows everything and controls everything. Faith is as much of an exercise in releasing as it is in receiving. We release our desires, and we receive confidence in the One who is in charge.
This kind of faith does not come overnight. However, it is often forged in the vice grips of fear, threat, loss, and helplessness. In moments like we face today. The fruit of faith is often peace of mind and a sense of contentment, in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
In difficult times like these, we should realize that we are not the center of the universe. And in all honesty, that’s a great starting place for faith. Real faith – true faith – does not put you in the center of the universe. Rather, real faith – true faith – puts the Creator back in the center of our universe, and then places ourselves at the mercy of our center.
I trust the scriptures that promise that the Creator will give us what we need to be sustained. Take a moment and ask the Creator for a readjustment of your center. Ask for a faith that allows you to live above fear. Living in fear only causes poor decisions, self-centered prayers, and selfish actions. In times like these, we need to be clearheaded and light shouldered. And, we might just need an adjustment of our Center.
We will get through this together with the help of the Creator and Lord. Take a moment to pray about it.
My community, my church, my family and the entire world are in my prayers today.
Here are some relevant scriptures to read during these unpredictable times. Many of these will come out Psalms because they are generally meant for comfort and encouragement. These are given in New International Version (NIV) but they will translate just the same in any version.
Prayers for Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:33; Luke 12:22-26; Jeremiah 29:11-12; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 18:1-3
Prayers for Encouragement
Psalm 23; Psalm 27; Psalm 42; Psalm 46; Psalm 91; Psalm 121; Psalm 139
Prayers for Courage/Strength/Hope
Joshua 1:9, Romans 5:1-5; Isaiah 58:11; Malachi 3:6; Isaiah 41:17-20; Hebrew 13:8; Isaiah 40:28-31
Prayers When Feeling Helplessness
Psalm 41:1-3, Luke 18:27, Psalm 42:1-5, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Isaiah 41:17-18, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 28:20
Prayers for Healing
Isaiah 41:10; 2 Corinthians 7:14; Psalm 103:1-5; James 5:13-15; Proverbs 17:22; Exodus 23:25; 3 John 1:2
