A Biblical Call to Dwell in Hope
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The past year and a half have been hard on all of humanity. With the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on life as we knew it, nothing is the same anymore.
Collectively, our plans to study further, get ahead at work, build a family, travel more, have gone for a toss. Health and family life have now taken priority. And the way we process the shifting world around us has changed irrevocably.
Let me take you with me on a deeply personal journey, one that I have taken and gotten closer to God. This has been the hardest blog to write yet, and I have gone through several iterations before publishing this. I must write a disclaimer at this point- this blog is a Christian perspective on the pandemic season or any season of trials and tribulation. I have also taken the liberty to use some Sufi & Buddhist references, as these ideas accurately convey my message. You might not agree with all my views, but I am sure they will be of some help or comfort to you. Perhaps, it might even pique your interest- I’ll be glad to take up more conversations on this topic, be sure to let me know your thoughts on the same!
“This place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you.”
Now, we all have plans- plans for a future, where we succeed in love, at work, and anything else that we set our heart & mind on. If there’s one thing that COVID-19 taught us, it is that our plans can only take us so far. Ultimately, we achieve a modicum of peace when we come to the acceptance that God’s bigger plan is at work in our lives; it is one that we may not fully comprehend, that we may not have the intelligence to envision, and one that can be infinitely more beautiful than the plans we have made, if only, we let Him work through us.
Mathew 6:28- 34 conveys this thought beautifully:
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
We all have gone through seasons where we have run around in search of answers, trying to solve our problems, relying solely on our strength and wit. But, this can get all too tiring. There is a time to work, and there most definitely is a time to be still, knowing that our petitions are safe with God, the Father who is our true strength and power.
On a lighter vein, you may have envisioned your life to be a rom-com, but it has turned out to be a roller coaster ride! Buckle up, and know that God is at the wheel. Hold fast to Him and let Him steer you through your troubles…
“You are Fearfully & Wonderfully Made.”
Not so long ago, I was told repeatedly that I didn’t matter — my feelings and opinions were not important, and that my education, job, family, talents — everything was worthless. Everything I did was somehow ‘wrong’ or ‘worthless’.
Soon, I gave in and began believing these lies. I thought myself to be completely ‘useless’ and wanted to die.
It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I was an abuse victim. It took me a lot longer to accept what I would have to do to heal again.
In God’s time, I learned to distance myself from these people, and focus on all the other positive things in my life — I began ‘counting my blessings’ literally, and was surprised, awe-struck even, to realize just how much God has been good to me. His Protection covered me, and sure enough, help and support came in the form of my closest family members!
Let us set aside my personal story for another time. What I want to tell you is — Don’t let anyone threaten your physical safety or take away your self-worth and self-confidence; don’t let anyone tear your spirit down and call it ‘love’ or ‘advice’.
God created us for a unique purpose. He finds us worthy and deserving of truly remarkable things.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.— Psalm 139:13–14
It is our duty to walk in His path, grow in His likeness and share our unique testimony with those we can help.
“Hate the Sin, not the Sinner.”
This idea of hating the sin and loving the sinner is seen across several Biblical passages-
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
— Luke 6:27–28
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
— Mathew 5:44
This is a long and hard road to walk; how do we get closure and move on from absolute brokenness? I think the answer lies in a dual perspective —
1. Don’t place your convictions on people, place them on God.
In the New Testament, there are several instances when Jesus goes against manmade constructs & established norms concerning gender, power and privilege. He is kind to the woman at the well, He looks down on the hypocrisy of authoritarian figures (Mathew 23), His twelve chosen apostles were ordinary men who had their own doubts and struggles.
If we were to give in to every expectation and standard set by human society, how can we be guided by the Spirit? It is a firm call to listen to the Holy Spirit within us, who can guide us to become more like Christ. To do this with faith, we must first grow in His love and acceptance.
2. The Divine rests within all of us.
As much as we seek the divine within ourselves, we must admit- the same Divine exists within the people that may have hurt us. To hate them, would be to hate the Divine within them.
Discerning right from wrong, good counsel from bad, requires a heart and mind that is still — in full readiness and acceptance of the unique path God has chosen for us. Holding onto past hurt, grudges, fear or shame have no place here.
From Pain to Purpose
I firmly believe that God gives us trials in the measure we can take; we are given the strength to withstand the challenges that come our way.
Our pain isn’t something that can be escaped, or fixed by someone else. We must sit with our own pain, feel it deeply and reach out to God.
In time, we will learn how to look to God, not at the problem, just like Daniel did when he was in the lion’s den.
I have seen two kinds of people in the face of adversity- there’s one type that will inadvertently blame everyone around them for their misfortune, and there’s the second type that will do everything within their power to right wrongs and do the necessary self-work to improve their situation.
I have discovered that there is nothing more powerful than hitting rock bottom & choosing hope over despair.
There are several Biblical passages that speak about the opportunity we have in our brokenness to become stronger, more graceful and closer to God-
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
— 2 Corinthians 12:10
You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
— John 16:20
Our challenges and setbacks can become the source of our greatest joy. For this to happen, we must surrender all our human tendencies of logic and ego…
I have a lot more to say on this topic, which would be better served in Part 2 of this blog. Do let me know how you liked this read and if you would want to see more blogs on Christianity, spirituality, hope and healing.
