This is a confusing time. I've probably said that about every five seconds within the past week. I'm finding it difficult to watch so many people acting out of a place of such intense fear. Over 60 percent of my job now is talking people down over the phone at work, reassuring and consoling concerned people.
Jesus gave me peace in Uganda, peace that truly does surpass all understanding (Philippians 4:7). He taught me how to rest in Him, how to allow Him to be the source of my comfort. He showed me who He is and who He always will be. Do I think that God was preparing me for this? Absolutely.
I know that there is no need to fear. I know the truth: every bit of what is happening has passed through the merciful, compassionate, unchanging hands of God. He is in control. And I cannot lose the peace He has given me. I wish I could share this peace with you, but all I can do is share where it came from and pray that it will come to you, too.
I've avoided posting lately, simply because I didn't want to add to all of the noise of what's going on. But I've been reading through the Psalms, and they aren't noisy. They've stopped me dead in my tracks and given me hope, comfort, peace, and joy. I pray they will do the same for you.
"I am certain that I will see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait on the Lord." --Psalm 27:13-14, which has quickly become my favorite verse.
"May the Lord be praised, for He has heard the sound of my pleading. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song." --Psalm 28:6-7
"Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning." --Psalm 30:5b
"You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance." --Psalm 32:7
"Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!" --Psalm 34:8
"A man's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand." --Psalm 37:23-24
"The Lord will send His faithful love by day; His song will be with me in the night--a prayer to the God of my life." --Psalm 42:8
"God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble...God is within her; she will not be toppled. God will help her when the morning dawns." --Psalm 46:1, 5
"But I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I trust in God's faithful love forever and ever. I will praise You forever for what You have done. In the presence of Your faithful people, I will put my hope in Your name, for it is good." --Psalm 52:8-9
"For He has delivered me from every trouble..." --Psalm 54:7a
"You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your records?" --Psalm 56:8
"In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" --Psalm 56:10-11
"Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in You. I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the danger passes. I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. Selah." --Psalm 57:1-4
"But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble. To You, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold--my faithful God." --Psalm 59:16-17
"I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken." --Psalm 62:1-2
"My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. So I will praise You as long as I live; at Your name, I will lift up my hands. You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips." --Psalm 63:3-5, written from David to God while in his own wilderness.
"You silence the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations." --Psalm 65:7, which made me think of
"He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Silence! Be still!' The wind ceased, and there was a great calm." --Mark 4:39
"However, God has listened; He has paid attention to the sound of my prayer. May God be praised! He has not turned away my prayer or turned His faithful love from me." --Psalm 66:19-20
"May the Lord be praised! Day after day He bears our burdens; God is our salvation. Selah." --Psalm 68:19
"But I will hope continually and will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell about Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot sum them up. I come because of the mights acts of the Lord God; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone." --Psalm 71:14-16
"Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me up in glory. Who do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever." --Psalm 73:23-26
"At night I remember my music; I meditate in my heart, and my spirit ponders...I will remember the Lord's works; yes, I will remember Your ancient wonders. I will reflect on all You have done and meditate on Your actions. God, Your way is holy. What god is great like God?" --Psalm 77:6, 11-13
Take a deep breath. Read those again. They are words inspired by God, written for you. Find peace in them. I'm with you, love.