We Have Not Suffered Alone

 

                                We Have Not Suffered Alone.

 

1 Peter 5:6-7, & 9

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I do love all that it says in 1 Peter 5:6-10 but in this situation verses 6-7 and verse 9 have helped me with my loneliness, anxiety, and deep depression.

While in this time of isolation from the COVID 19 virus, I have suffered much loneliness, anxiety, and deep depression. A lot of the time just finding that I have cried a sea of tears. We have had friends die in this time and the hardest thing is not being able to visit them or show our love to them and be there for them. Not even a funeral to go to say our goodbye’s. We have also had some health issues in the family and not being able to help them goes against all that we believe families should try to do. And we also like so many other have elderly parents that we haven’t been able to be there for and help, for one reason or another. And the topper not being able to see our Grandson for 8 months.

There have been many Scriptures that our Abba Father has given me over this time of isolation to guide me and comfort me. But I think the one that helped to comfort me the most is this one in:

1 Peter 5:9b NIV

Standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

 I also like reading different version of Scripture because depending on what you are going through the Lord will use another version because of the way it is written slightly different it can speak to you more clearly and help you see your situation better. It’s like looking through the eyes of Jesus’ love on the situation. And this is one of those times that the Lord has given me this Scripture in a different version.

1 Peter 5:9b Contemporary English Version:

Stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord’s followers are suffering just as you are. 

1 Peter 5:9b The Message (MSG):

You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. 

The way that these two other version helped me was that they say; “All over the world”.  “All”, being the key word here. It comforted me to know that people all over the world, men, women, teenagers and children were and are feeling the same. The more I reflected on this Scripture, the more I was hearing and reading online that, yes so many people were and are feeling depressed, lonely and anxious because of the isolation. It helped to know that I wasn’t suffering alone that the whole world was suffering in the same way. So through reading this Scripture, it helped me to take my eyes of my situation and pray for the whole world not just praying for myself. It gave me a purpose, it gave me strength, it gave me a way, it gave me direction, and it gave me comfort. It gave me so much from just those few words; “All over the world”.

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining about the isolation, yes it’s been hard but I believe that it has been needed to keep us all safe from this virus. After all we all have little ones and elderly and all in between, in our lives, that all need to be kept safe.  

Another Scripture that has been just important to me is Psalm 91. I find Psalm 91 such a 911 call to our Lord, our prayer of protection. But it is also so much more than just a prayer of protection. It is a relationship with Him, a prayer of love.

Psalm 91:4 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. 

Oh the imagery of this is so sweet to my heart. But it’s not just imagery it is what Abba Father does for us if we allow Him.

I thank and praise our Abba Father for covering us with Your wings. For under Your wings we find shelter and refuge. Hallelujah!

Please Abba Father, my prayer to You today is that You would comfort all those in this world that are calling out to You for help, for comfort, for healing, and that You would wipe away everyone of their tears and bring us all safely through this time. Help us to keep our eyes on You Lord Jesus and not on the storm but on You. For You are our lamp for our feet, a light on our path.

In Jesus name I pray, Hallelujah and Amen.