A Certain Hope for Uncertain Times

Kathi Macias has become one of my go-to friends for biblical wisdom applied in practical ways. In this Encouragement UPGRADE, she reminds us circumstances may change, but our hope is in our God who never changes.

"My favorite scenario is that Jesus will arrive and scoop us up before the going gets REALLY tough," Kathi says, "but Jesus Himself told us that no one knows the day or the hour when He will return."

I (Dawn) admit that I'm also hoping Jesus returns... SOON! As our culture disintegrates, sometimes my heart fills with fear. But then I fix my eyes on Jesus, and something else too—which Kathy writes about here.

Kathi continues . . .

I’ve noticed that a lot of people tend to be dividing into two different camps lately:

• those who run around pulling their hair and screaming that the sky is falling, and
• those who have no clue, nor do they care what’s going on beyond their own little self-developed bubble.

This wouldn’t disturb me so much if it were strictly unbelievers reacting this way, but even some Christians seem caught up in one or the other of these behaviors.

I have a tendency to lean toward the screamers, since I too sense we are living in perilous times.

But then again, when in history have times not been perilous, at least somewhere in the globe?

Of course, I don’t want to discount prophecy, and it’s difficult not to listen to the news and try to line it up with Scripture.

But whether we’re in the last days, the next-to-last days, or the last of the last days—

Is stocking up on peanut butter and toilet paper really what we are called to do as Christians?

All right, I admit that I’m of practical German stock, and I like the feeling of security I get from being out of debt and having enough canned soup on hand to last me until the millennium—just in case.

My favorite scenario is that Jesus will arrive and scoop us up before the going gets REALLY tough, but Jesus Himself told us that no one knows the day or the hour when He will return. The only thing we can know for certain is that He WILL come . . . and when He does, it will be at the perfect time.

So where does that leave us, particularly as we work our way through 2021, with looming economic problems, virus vaccines and lockdowns, and uncertainty at every turn?

It leaves us in exactly the same place as when things were going more smoothly and everything seemed right within our own little world. It wasn’t right, of course; it only seemed that way because our personal life situation wasn’t threatened.

And that’s the point.

People have lived with threats and wars and terrorism and economic instability since Adam and Eve were exiled from the Garden.

Might we be living at the end of the age, when everything comes to a head and Jesus really does return? Most certainly.

Then again…

It really doesn’t matter, for how we live is not to be based on what we think tomorrow might bring, but rather on what God has called us to do TODAY.

• “Every commandment which I command you TODAY you must be careful to observe…” (Deuteronomy 8:1, emphasis added).
• “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for THE DAY is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34, emphasis added).
• “TODAY, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8, emphasis added).

We are called to be faithful TODAY—not to lament our failures of yesterday or fret about tomorrow.

If we are true believers, then we are to be about the Father’s business, as Jesus was when He walked the earth. We are to fulfill the Great Commission of going into all the world to proclaim the gospel and make disciples.

That’s what we need to focus on TODAY—whether tomorrow seems to threaten turmoil or promise peace. For the Scriptures are clear that regardless of what we face, God’s thoughts and plans for us are “of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Several years ago, I wrote a book called The Moses Quilt, a contemporary romance told against the backdrop of the life of one of America’s greatest heroines, Harriet Tubman.

This amazing woman of faith and courage was born into slavery and went through life uneducated and nearly penniless. Yet she not only escaped slavery herself but went back into the “lion’s den” nineteen times to successfully lead out about 300 other slaves, including her elderly parents—all the time knowing there was a “wanted dead or alive” bounty on her head.

How was she able to do it? By refusing to allow the circumstances to dissuade her from following what she believed was God’s call on her life.

Harriet stood on God’s promises.

She stood on scriptures she had memorized from hearing others recite them—because she was unable to read—and lived accordingly.

Those same promises that fortified Harriet Tubman’s courage are available to us.

With that in mind,

• we don’t need to scream and pull our hair,
• nor do we need to hide within our personal safety bubbles and ignore the world around us.

God is calling us to so much more; He is calling us to be about His business and to enter into those plans and thoughts He has for us… to give us a future and a hope, just as Harriet Tubman and so many others did before us.

How are your responding to these uncertain, sometimes scary times? How might standing on God's promises and the encouragement in His Word give you sure hope and a plan for moving forward in obedience to Him?

Kathi Macias (www.kathimacias.com) is an award-winning author of more than 50 books. A wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she lives in Southern California with her husband, Al.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of ambermb at Pixabay.

COVID Came Calling

Author and caregiver Sally Ferguson has grown in her faith in God since the coronavirus changed so many lives in America. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she tells her story and the scriptures that helped her through a difficult year—scriptures that can help us too.

"When COVID came knocking at my door," Sally said, "I was unprepared for how it would turn my life upside down."

I (Dawn) don't think any of us knew how our cirumstances would seem to spiral out of control during the pandemic; but almost everyone I've discussed that with admits God taught us important lessons in our struggles.

We will never be the same; and in some ways, that's a good thing—as Sally explains.

Sally continues . . .

Our family had taken the necessary precautions and followed guidelines for safety. Yet, ten months into the lockdown, not one, not two, but five members of my immediate family tested positive for the coronavirus.

For the most part, I felt I had adjusted to the changes COVID-19 brought to our country and to our county.

I’m an introvert, so I loved being home more, and took online workshops. I made more phone calls to stay connected with my small groups, and checked in with my extrovert friends to see how they were faring.

However, April dawned with attending our daughter’s wedding via Zoom.

• I watched my husband weep at not being able to walk his daughter down the aisle.
• I mourned not being able to assist her preparations.
• The reception in our home state was postponed twice, and then put on hold indefinitely.

In August, elective surgeries were again allowed, and Hubby flew to Florida to help his parents while his dad recuperated from shoulder surgery.

September 8 his mom fell and fractured her back. What followed can only be seen as a bizarre set of events.

The COVID-19 lockdown prohibited visits to her in rehab, where she entered the barren corridors of dementia. She was released only as a shell of her former self.

Hubby came home and I made the trek to Florida to help with her care.

In November, our family packed up my in-laws’ home and moved them north so they could be close by for assistance.

December 21, my father—also in our care—was taken to the hospital with stroke-like symptoms, where he was diagnosed with COVID-19. One week later, my hubby and his dad went to the ER and tested positive.

On January 7, my father-in-law passed away in the hospital.

Why have I shared the events of my COVID-year?

Not because my story is unique. At this time, over 400,000 deaths have occurred in the United States from the coronavirus.

I went into some of the details of our lives because I want to share the most important point.

I have learned through the worst of times that God is faithful.

God never deserts His own.

When I ponder how we will continue to care for my mom-in-love and for my dad, I often wonder how we will keep it up.

But, God.

He gives us strength for today, and tomorrow will do the same.

Now, if I could just tape that to my forehead, it might be a daily reminder. I get into trouble when I try to figure it all out by myself.

What verses would I recommend to a fellow traveler on this road of suffering?

1. Isaiah 40:11 — The Lord will hold me close. He will carry me.
2. Isaiah 40:27 — God knows. He cares.
3. Philippians 1:29 —It is a gift to believe and to suffer. Yes, even in caregiving, because, “If you’ve done it for the least, you’ve done it for Me” (Matthew 25:40).
4. Psalm 66:12, 20 — We went through fire, but God has not withheld His love from us.
5. Psalm 73:16-17 — I am overwhelmed when I try to understand why COVID hit our family. God grants me perspective, knowing He is still in control.
6. Psalm 18:16-19 — Our enemy launched an attack on us, but God is our Rescuer and our support.
7. Psalm 22:24 — God does not turn away from suffering.

Have your circumstances brought despair? It may not be COVID-caused, but we can all relate to hardship in this year of change and uncertainty.

Hang on to hope in the God who sees you (Genesis 16:13) and is fighting for you (Deuteronomy 1:29-31).

• May He usher you into His sanctuary for refuge and renewal (Psalm 40:1-3).
• May He take your breath away in awe of His power over the things that leave you feeling powerless (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• And, may you stand confident in knowing you are never alone (Hebrews 13:5).

How will you seek the Lord’s comfort in your turmoil? Will suffering draw you closer to God, or will it put a wedge between you? How will that define your response to Romans 8:35-39?

Sally Ferguson is a caregiver for her mom-in-love, her dad, and her grands, and writing a Bible study for caregivers. She lives in western New York with her hubby of 33 years. Look for her words at EzineArticles, AlmostAnAuthor, Upgrade with Dawn, Amazon and sallyferguson.net.

Graphic adapted, created by Wirestock, courtesy of www.Freepik.com.

Living in Uncertainty: Waiting on God

Julie Watson is a gifted woman who not only has technical expertise, she also has deep compassion for people who hurt. In this UPGRADE, she encourages us with powerful words about patience.

“Having patience, standing in line, waiting my turn … these are things I learned in kindergarten,” Julie says, “but still didn’t do well ... until now.” 

Watching Julie in her long waiting season has inspired me (Dawn) and taught me to trust God’s timing. But what I value most are the lessons God has taught her.

Julie continues…

I quit praying for patience long ago because I realized every time I did, I’d somehow get stuck behind the slowest drivers known to man!

God is not surprised by my impatience, but for my journey, He gave me something very special to wait for.

Nearly 17 years ago I married the man of my dreams. As most young couples do, we made plans for our future. Children were a part of that plan. However, life throws you curveballs, and mine came in the form of a slow growing type of ovarian cancer. Long story short, having children—natural children, that is—were no longer in our plans.

We were saddened, but not devastated. God had other plans … perfect plans!

Fast forward to Easter week 2013. Adoption was always something we wanted to do once we found out we couldn’t have children. It just took us a LONG time to get there.

When my husband and I separately received confirmation from God that it was time to move forward (on Good Friday of all days) we were READY! And, when I say ready, we literally prayed someone would drop a child onto our doorstep the next day!

Needless to say, adoption doesn’t work like that. We waited… and waited… and waited some more.

Living in uncertainty is never fun. Waiting for something I had wanted for so long stirred a whole range of new emotions, and I learned some things along the way:

1) Don’t ever stop talking to God—keep praying diligently for His will to be done and leave your own will out of it!

2) Don’t stop listening to God—keep reading His Word, be still and allow His truth to penetrate your heart! (Proverbs 4:11-13)

3) Don’t alienate yourself by shutting others out—keep your support team on standby; you’ll need their continuous encouragement and prayer!

4) Don’t hold in the anger, frustration or disappointment—keep it real and be honest with yourself and God. You can even yell at God; it doesn’t surprise Him and He can take it—plus it might be very cathartic for you!

5) Don’t doubt the path God placed you on—keep your eyes on the prize and persevere! (Isaiah 40:31; Jeremiah 17:7-8)

6) Don’t stop planning—keep your priorities straight, your routines normal and don’t stop living just because you don’t know when “that something” is coming! (Philippians 4:12-13)

So yes, I hate waiting (even still). But, I now see God’s handiwork in the wait. I know the wait will equip me for the task ahead. And, I know that if I trust God and wait on Him, He will accomplish great things in and through me (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28).

Lastly, even while writing this article God revealed to me why I needed to wait for what was coming.

We were about to embark on the hardest journey of our lives and marriage.

We chose to open our home to a sibling set of abused and neglected foster children who needed a ton of love. But what do they need almost as much as love? A mountain-sized amount of PATIENCE (1 Corinthians 13:4a).

Had I not gone through this waiting game, I never would have been ready for the most important job of my life: motherhood.

Are you waiting on God for something? How can you use this time to prepare (physically, emotionally, spiritually) for what’s to come?

Julie Watson has worked with pregnancy care centers over the years and is currently a Grant Writer. She and her husband Shawn are new parents to three beautiful children who have forever changed their lives. The process of becoming foster/adoptive parents was neither painless nor short, but was well worth the wait. They know these children were hand-picked by God to be their own, and plan to adopt as soon as they are legally allowed.

Graphic adapted, Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net