Tears of joy. Tears of sadness. Tears of anger.
Yesterday, my sweet students wrote me letters. They were filled with words of encouragement and gratitude. I often think because I teach calculus, my students would be successful no matter who their teacher was. But these letters reminded me the power of encouragement and how I set the tone in my class. The letters reminded me of my significance as their teacher. Tears of joy flowed.
But the letters also reminded me of how much I miss my students. I miss laughing with them. I miss seeing their faces when the light bulb comes on. I miss their annoying questions. I miss seeing them help one another and cheer each other on. I miss celebrating with them as they get college acceptance letters. I miss talking with them about their futures and encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers. I miss standing in front of the class and facilitating learning. I miss doing what I love to do. Tears of sadness flowed.
As I read their letters, I became angry at what had been stolen this year – Graduation ceremonies, celebrations, learning, relationships. It was tempting to blame people. It was easy to point a finger at an authority figure or a decision that was made but there is only one who comes to kill, steal, and destroy. There is only one culprit in this entire mess and he was not elected. Tears of anger flowed.
In the middle of my hodgepodge of emotions, the Holy Spirit spoke clarity.
Pray. Trust. Believe.
Pray for the plague to cease. Pray God will give scientist wisdom to find a cure and/or vaccine. Pray in the Spirit. Remember, our weapons are not flesh and blood. Our weapons are prayer and the Word of God. Our weapons are powerful. Our prayers avail much. Pray.
Trust. Every time I pray against this virus, I hear the Lord whisper the same thing, “Restoration.” It seems impossible to me, but God continues to promise restoration to our land. So, I am going to trust His Word is true even when I don’t understand. I’m going to allow my trust in Him to lead me to a place of peace and dwell there. Trust.
Believe I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Believe Psalm 91 which says this plague shall not come near my home. Believe I am protected. Believe this will all work together for my good. Believe.
Friends, it’s okay to be sad and angry during this time. But remember God wants to exchange your garment of heaviness for a garment of praise. Allow Him. Direct your anger at the true culprit, the enemy. We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and forces of darkness.
How do we confront this virus? Pray. Trust. Believe.
“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 CSB