Do Not Be Dismayed?
“Do not be dismayed?”
Dismayed certainly isn’t a word we use often. In fact, I actually looked it up to see its exact meaning. Merriam Webster says; “experiencing or showing feelings of alarmed concern or dismay : upset, worried, or agitated because of some unwelcome situation or occurrence.”
Unwelcome situation or occurrence? Seriously? What else besides unwelcome situations and occurrences has 2020 brought us? Starting the year off with the first case of Corona Virus in the United States occurring in January.
Covid, to me, has been the most “unwelcome” occurrence I have had to deal with in my lifetime. It has disrupted every aspect of our lives. Everything from quarantining at home, isolation from our loved ones through social distancing. We have hospitals over flowing. So many jobs lost with multiple businesses having to close or shut down completely. We have had church services cancelled. Our children having to be homeschooled through zoom, while we try work our jobs at home as well. Going out to a restaurant is out of the question. Every type of public entertainment has been shut down. We have also had to relearn how to wash our hands (again and again). Wearing a mask every time you leave your house. Oh and let us not even mention the toilet paper shortage.
If anyone had told us a year ago that we, here in America, would be going through such chaos we would not have been able to comprehend. Fast forward to eighteen months later and not only are we still in this unwelcomed situation but many of us have now lost loved ones, have loved ones suffering from this horrible disease, are suffering from it ourselves, or all of the above. When will it end? How are we not to be dismayed?
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 40:10. (NIV)
God is speaking to us as a father to his child. He is so tenderly telling us to not be afraid of the situations that surround us. Our God and Heavenly Father is right here beside us. We are not to be dismayed. So the next time you start to feel weak, or feel that you can’t take anymore, remember dear sisters, He is beside you as He is beside me to hold us up with His righteous right hand, giving us all the strength we need to get through any situation we might face.
The natural emotion for us to have when we hear of a loved one testing positive is fear, fear of the unknown. However, regardless of what the test results say, we know God is with us and He will give us the strength we need to face what comes. Reminding ourselves of this and allowing His presence to be felt, we can have the peace that only He can give (Phil. 4:7). I say “allow” this because, if you are like me, then becoming fearful and dismayed is where your thoughts will go first. So often we focus more on the unknown rather than God’s power and presence. We have to stop and welcome Him into our thoughts and into our hearts in order to feel His peace.
Regardless of what stage of this dreaded disease you or your loved ones may be facing at this time, we can rest well knowing our Lord is walking right along beside us and holding our hand in His, giving us strength through it all. Let us not become dismayed but put our trust in Him.
