Lessons Learned from COVID

A few weeks ago I felt a rapid onset of discomfort, chills, and illness. Long story short, this began a 16 day battle with COVID-19. As it swept through my house, we navigated the uncertainty and fear that has been fed through this pandemic. I will confess, it was an experience I don’t ever want to repeat. While for some it is an asymptomatic sickness, for me it was very symptomatic. I am grateful that God brought healing and a full recovery. That being said, I also reflect on that trial with joy. 

1 Peter 4:12-19 encourages us to walk in and through trials with joy as we accept God’s perfect will and allow Him to purify us. I will share some specific ways I experienced joy with COVID shortly. For now, consider how you have experienced a trial. It may be an illness, blatant rejection of your faith by an unbeliever, financial crisis, or any host of life experience that may be described as suffering.

Regardless of your experience, we have a choice to walk with an attitude of gratitude and joy. In those trials, God desires to purify us like a refiner’s fire. In those seasons of crisis God desires to reveal His presence, like the glory of God revealed to Israel as God took on the form of a pillar of fire. 

Take joy in your trial. Choose to have an attitude of acceptance and trust in a sovereign God who will prove Himself to you. As I reflect back on my COVID experience I take joy in God’s healing. I take joy in the reminder of friends and family who love us and care for us. I celebrated with a team of church staff who quickly stepped up into speak on my behalf. I rejoice in knowing a God who loves me and reveals His character to me though His Word when I am forced to slow down and listen for His voice. 

I urge you to take joy no matter your circumstance to celebrate how God is growing you, even when it hurts.