Handle It As It Comes, Not As You Fear

This post is by Tami Rodriguez.

Uncertainty is scary.  Not knowing what’s coming next is frightening. As Americans we are used to being in control. Our challenges and complaints are often referred to as “first world problems” because let’s be honest….they aren’t really problems.  They’re annoyances, irritations or even complications brought on by all of our blessings. Too much stuff to organize, too many great activities for our children and family to be part of, too many friends we love having fun get togethers or birthday parties with are not really problems! And nothing made that clearer than when it all changed this year in what seemed like a flash. 

While most of us heard about the coronavirus in China, it really didn’t compute how it would affect us here.  It was just another news story. Then it was declared a pandemic.  I don’t know about you, but that didn’t really bother me either! I’m not sure why, but it was just a thing that was happening somewhere else. Then it seemed like in one day...all the toilet paper was gone, our freedom was gone and the world of masks and gloves in public was here.

Suddenly the normal instinct of shaking a hand or hugging a friend was wrong. The dream of no place to go and time to just chill with our family now seemed overwhelming and LONG because it’s forced. Days of the week are a blur and the time of day is marked with the release of new numbers.  

How many cases and deaths in the world? In our state? In our town? Then come the bigger questions, how worried should I be? How clean do I have to be to be safe? What precautions are overkill and which are necessary? The worst part of all of that is those answers seem to change daily!  All of this uncertainty causes a lot of fear. When you feel you have no control you do things that don’t make a lot of sense to FEEL like you’re in control...like buying more toilet paper than you’ll need in a year or foods you never make but for some reason feel smarter and safer by just having them in your home.

God’s Word is full of encouragement to not fear. It’s said that we are told in the Bible not to fear 365 times...one for every day of the year.  We are told over and over to be anxious for nothing (Phil 4:6-7), and not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). In Proverbs 3:5-7 we are told not only to trust in Him but also not to lean on our own understanding. 

I can’t understand all that’s going on in the world today.  I certainly can’t fix or control it.  I am stuck in a place of obedience to authorities and desire for safety mixed with feelings of fear and inner rebellion to all the restrictions. When turning to God and praying through these feelings I received a wonderful message that I think will bless you as well, “Handle it as it comes, not as you fear.” Fearing what might happen or trying to address an issue before it’s actually here is a waste of time and energy. 

So let’s do the best we can today, with the information we have today mixed in with a lot of prayer for wisdom and guidance from the Lord. Exodus 14:14 says “The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still.”  Instead of running in circles in our head or home, let's quiet ourselves.  

Slow down, refocus on who is really in charge of our life and this world.  We can let go and rest in Him knowing He will show us what to do next if we keep our eyes on Him. I’ve learned the Lord doesn’t give me peace in my “what if” scenarios but He always shows up in the real moments more powerful and amazing than I could ever dream. Today I’m trusting in that for me and for you.

Tami Rodriguez is wife to her high school sweetheart and mama to 5 ridiculously fast growing children who are all hunkered down in Michigan racing marbles to pass time. You can find her on Instagram @rodfamily007

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash