I'm stressed. I'm sure every parent is right now.

    Early this week I watched the faith-based movie “I Still Believe”. (Spoiler Alert) My wife knows that I hate movies that make me cry. I just don’t like watching melodramatic movies, where I know the main character is going to die hopelessly. So ironically, I would rather watch an action-flick where the main characters are ending the lives of bad guys ; ). Yes I know, violence vs natural causes of death don’t relate. Here’s the thing, it’s hard to watch someone go through something difficult, something they can’t control and then end up not getting what they are praying for. Not sure if you’re like me, but I seem to always put myself in the movie and think about how I would react to the plot. I almost always ask my wife, “What would you do if that happened to you?” Soooo, I watched the movie and I cried. I cried heavily. It was bitter sweet, because though she went through physical pain and suffering from a disease, her death brought life and hope to thousands of others. Usually we don’t see the latter while going through a struggle and it’s sometimes hard to see yourself standing in faith the same way others do.

There was a statement she said that really touched me. “Suffering doesn’t destroy faith. It refines it.” I’ve always preached faith over feelings, but the reality is that sometimes the feeling of pain can cast a fog over your faith. It doesn’t mean that you gave up on your faith, it just means that the circumstances you are facing make it more difficult to feel God within your situation. Faith is taking God at His word. That’s taking a stance that what I’m facing and going through today, can be part of the process that God is working together for my good. My suffering doesn’t destroy my faith. My suffering leans on my faith. It was so inspiring to see in the movie that through the pain, they would still worship. That as tears fell down their face in pain, (fairly questioning God “Why?”) they kept saying they believe in God no matter the result. I’ve learned that when you lead with worship and praise, it invites freedom. It invites peace. It invites God into your situation. That no matter what is happening around me, my praise brings me closer to the one that holds it all together.

Right now I’m stressed. I’m sure every parent that has school-aged children are stressing in one way or the other. I’m sure our educators and teachers are stressed. With COVID-19 cases rising every day in my state, there are a lot of unknowns and surmounting questions as to how this is going to play out in the next school year. Both of my kids learn differently. So at-home learning vs. in-class learning has a major impact on both of my kids. My son needs to be in a classroom environment. He learns different than others. My daughter has been gifted where she can do either or, but she also struggled to learn at-home when the pandemic first started. This will be her first year of high-school. Who wants to start high-school at home? She doesn’t, and has made it very clear she wants to be in school. Then the responsibility as a Christian parent, puts us in a position to not submit to fear, that God has everything in control. The reality is, most of us are thinking, “What is God doing?” 

The year 2020 has put a whole new perspective on Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The key for me in this verse, is in the first 3 words, “And we know.” The verse starts with already believing the result of what God will do, no matter what is happening in the moment. That God already has our best interest at heart, even through the pain. Those 3 words bring assurance, that God has already done it before for us and that He will work this out in our favor again. Ask yourself, “Does my faith focus on what I already know?” That I am more than a conquerer. That I am scarred, but God says I am healed. That I am broken, but God says He makes me whole. That I have been rejected, but God says I am His! That I am alone, but God says He is always with me. You see, those who focus on what God can do through suffering, will be strengthened. 

God does not reveal every detail of His plan for our lives. Nevertheless, there is an inner assurance that comes when we do His will. Do I know what’s going to happen this school year, or overall, this year?! NO! But I can move from WORRY to WORSHIP by realizing that God is in control of every circumstance in my life. I STILL BELIEVE. Let’s continue dreaming.