In a matter of a few hours this week, I felt joy, happiness, exhaustion, overwhelm, confusion, anger, exasperation, defeat, hope, shock, fear, peace, uncertainty, and grief. One day felt like a week and included a roller coaster of feelings and emotions.
Daily life at our home during COVID-19 looks like two parents with intense, full-time jobs working from home, while working with 5-year-old twins and a 7-year-old on their schoolwork. There has been screaming, crying, time-outs, and apologies (and yes, I’m talking about just my wife and me).
Much of the time, if I’m truly honest, I’ve not felt up to this challenge. These obstacles have felt greater than me, and I’ve felt like my goal was just to make it to lunchtime.
But, I’m learning each day to navigate these obstacles just a little better. At a time where many of us feel isolated at home, in a circumstance where it’s hard to know what to believe, during a season where fear and anxiety can be constant companions, it’s so important to strategically pull back and reset our perspectives.
My church is reading through the Gospel of John in preparation for Easter. The daily readings reminded me that this crisis doesn’t have to defeat me. In fact, because of who God is in the midst of this crisis, I can be overcome than whatever comes my way on a given day.
Here are 5 perspective resets I had today, based upon my reading and some study those readings let me into later.
1. Because of who God is, my faith can be GREATER THAN whatever I’m facing.
In Revelation 21:6, God tells us that “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End.” In Hebrews 4:14-16, we are reminded that “this High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So, let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Even at home, it’s easy to get pulled in many directions and fill the days with noise. Stopping to marvel at the majesty and power of God can shift our focus and reset our perspective about what we’re facing today. As many have said, “glance at your problems and gaze at God.”
2. Because of what Jesus has done for me, my confidence can be GREATER THAN wherever I’m falling short.
In Romans 5:6-11, we see a picture of what Jesus did for us. “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners…So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” Later in Romans 8:37, we are reminded that “despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ.”
In dying on the Cross and rising from the dead, Jesus has done for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. Yes, we face daily reminders of our insufficiency, but if we look to the unchanging truth, there are also daily reminders of His more-than-sufficiency.
3. Because of the Holy Spirit in me, my calling can include GREATER THINGS than even Jesus did.
In John 14:12, we read one of the most astounding verses in the entire Bible. Jesus said to his followers, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father.”
If you make a mental list of all of Jesus’ most well-known miracles, there are some astounding acts. But, because the Holy Spirit has come and dwells in you and me, we are promised that we will do even greater works than Jesus did, even during moments like this!
4. Because of who Jesus says I am, my identity can be GREATER than my feelings and insecurities.
Romans 8 shows us how to embrace a new view of ourselves, aligned with the view of Jesus. Ephesians 1-2 shows us who we are in light of the Gospel, who has given us life because of His rich mercy towards us.
On any given day, our roller-coaster of feelings and rising insecurities can become the shifting-sand of our identities. Yet, who Jesus says we are never changes, and it is so much greater than momentary feelings. What Jesus says about us is the truest thing about us.
5. Because of God’s promises, my hope can be GREATER THAN any uncertainty in the future.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus told his followers, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” In Romans 8:38-39, Paul encourages the believers with these words, “Indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
These are promises from God! When God makes us a promise, immediately afterward, it’s as if God has already kept His promise. With God, promises made are promises kept. We can be GREATER THAN whatever the future holds because we will step into the future with the one who holds the future in His hands.
After identifying, summarizing, and meditating on these promises, my day still had a lot of challenges. I still felt fear and anxiety in the back of my mind. But, I had renewed resolve to be greater than this moment and overcome it in Jesus’ name!
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer who believes he has the best last name ever. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the parents of three “little savages.” He is the creator of the Free to Forgive course and you can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com.
