Jesus Is with You
Friends, weโve prayed for you as a staff. We recognize that along with so many unexpected upheavals to schedules, responsibilities, and life dynamics, the unknown future may tempt you to find a particular solution for your anxieties. You wonโt find it mentioned in the mainstream media. Itโs the temptation to run toward our idols.
Fear, uncertainty, and unwanted change trigger most of us to crave and seek out immediate comfort and relief. Our hearts can go into an inward spin cycle that sends us toward familiar but false saviors that may give temporary relief, yet they will only bruise our souls and enslave our desires. When forced into circumstances in which we feel out of control (and we are!), grabbing for some form of autonomous power seems life-giving. But it isnโt.
RESIST! Remember that Jesus is still the same loving, holy, delivering Lord who is your refuge in the midst of COVID-19-prompted temptations. You may be working from home now without online filters, or hindered in reaching out to your accountability partners, or tempted to reach back out to people who are dangerous to youโฆ to your soul, friendships, marriage, thought-life, and more.
Remember, dear sisters and brothersโฆ
Jesus is still your Rock and Refuge to whom you can cry out today, right now. โHear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the ends of the earth; I cry out to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to yourself, Lord, for you alone are the rock that is higher than I, for you have been and are my refuge, a strong tower against my enemies.โ (Psalm 61:1โ2)
Jesus is still your way of escape when temptations are either fierce or soft and seductive. โLord God, you are faithfulโฆyou wonโt allow any temptation to come near to me (even when a pandemic is happening) that isnโt common and for which you won’t be my escape! Help me to cry out to you and trusted others, Lord, and to persevere through these cravings to seek comfort in sinful ways!โ (1 Corinthians 10:13โ14)
Jesus is still your constant companion in the midst of quarantines and isolation. โLord, this house, my apartment, my room feels extra lonely; help me, Lord, to believe and know that you are God and that you are with me. God, use this forced retreat from being with people to create an intimate sanctuary for you and me. Help me to abide in you, Lord, to go to your Word and to be nourished with the Bread of Life!โ (John 14:23โ15:11)
Jesus is still your merciful, compassionate God when fear overwhelms or sin has been pursued. โJesus, Iโm afraid, really scared with what is happening. Help me hear you saying, โTake heart dear one, it is I! Iโve not forsaken you. Come to me and find rest for your soul.โ Yes, Lord, help me rest in your compassion. I did pursue sin, Lord; you saw me when I turned from you to sin, back to porn, back to him/her, back to food or alcohol or ______. I name it, Lord, and ask for your strength to stand up, engage the battle again, and walk as your loved son, your loved daughter. Thank you for receiving me with love and grace.โ (Mark 6:45โ51; Matthew 11:28โ30; 1 John 1:5โ10; Colossians 3:1โ17; Hebrews 4:16โ18)
Jesus is with you, friend, and he loves you. He is for you and will not abandon you. Ever.
Ellen Mary Dykas
Director of Equipping for Ministry to Women
Ellen joined Harvest USA in 2007 as our first full-time womenโs ministry staff. Ellen received her MA from Covenant Theological Seminary and a graduate certificate in biblical counseling from Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF).
More from Ellen Mary Dykas