Showing Symptoms? Run to the God of HOPE!
By Bunni Pounds
“Now may the GOD of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace IN believing, that you may abound in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13
What do we do if we begin to show symptoms of illness?
It’s all good and well to discuss faith and hope when you’re feeling healthy, but what about when your throat swells, you start coughing, and you develop a fever?
That is what happened to me on Thursday evening and Friday. My fever peaked at 101 on Friday. I was shaking all over and fear tried to grip my heart.
To review my last week of miracles….
Last Monday, our son, Ben, lost his job at a local Dallas, family-owned business, but by Friday, they called him back and offered him another job. Not sure how that happened, but God is faithful.
On Tuesday, as I was worrying about the future of this ministry, an individual reached out and shared that they were blessed by what we were doing and were sending a substantial financial gift to help us. God is faithful.
By midweek, through the worldwide uncertainty brought on by the virus, God had brought my family together in new ways, Christians Engaged hosted an amazing prayer call that encouraged many people, and I was encouraged that even my work family was growing closer and binding together. God is faithful.
But just as the children of Israel, who saw God part the Red Sea, allowing them to safely cross over to the other side, but who, at a short time later were overcome with fear of the Philistines, I was laying on my bed Friday night—AFRAID.
I am drawn to the spiritual leaders who practice transparency by opening up their hearts and lives to let others see their own weaknesses.
Are there any spiritual superheroes in this hour? No.
They don’t exist.
But there are those who walk in supernatural peace, and they are people who have learned to run to God and run to God QUICKLY.
So, in the midst of my fear, I did THREE THINGS (in addition to following the medical guidance from the professionals) that I believe helped me turn the corner:
1. I reached out to my family and closest friends and asked them to start praying.
(I also quarantined myself in our bedroom, and my husband had to sleep on an uncomfortable couch. Pray for him!)
2. I cranked up my worship music.
Worship music has always been a way for me to connect with God and let my faith rise even when I am feeling weak. Songs like The Blessing by Kari Jobe & Elevation Worship and The Land of Living by UPPERROOM filled my bedroom as I laid there.
3. I gathered my faith around the Word of God
Reading verse after verse on God’s healing power and His HOPE during storms.
By Saturday, I was still exhausted but no longer running a fever. My sore throat was improving, and my cough had subsided. I still had a headache, I was weak, and I wanted to just sleep (which for the people who know me know I am always going, not sitting around, so that is really not normal for me.)
By the time of this publishing on Monday - I am almost 100% better - even went for a “social distancing” walk with my husband last night. I will not be going anywhere in the future and will be staying put in my “vintage” house.
Whether I had COVID-19 or strep throat, the reality of the fear is still the same. We all face fear and have times of testing, but the answers are found in what we TURN to when those times come.
Romans 15:13, the scripture that began this blog post says, “May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace AS you trust in him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Joy and peace FOLLOWS the trusting.
Joy and peace FOLLOWS the believing (as the King James Version says)
As we trust and believe, we OVERFLOW with HOPE.
This is what we have been praying for—for each of our hearts as we #ChooseHOPE together in this season. But remember that choosing HOPE takes a DECISION from us. We have to make a conscious decision to choose HOPE.
Choosing HOPE requires action—the action of us turning to JESUS…to His Word and His promises, to Him in prayer, by laying our burdens at His feet, and to worship—thanking Him and declaring His goodness and character.
We hold the keys to unlocking fear in this hour: the Word of God, prayer, and worship and they flow in and out of each other.
The keys just take us to the PERSON who is HOPE—Jesus.
I will declare this boldly so that my enemies hear it: JESUS is my God of HOPE and I put my trust in Him and in Him alone.
Be safe out there - follow the officials’ and doctors’ instructions but also trust in JESUS. He is faithful who promised - even in the midst of symptoms.
Praying today the blessing Numbers 6:24-26 over all of our families - “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
If you or someone you know would like to receive a weekly message of HOPE, consider taking our PLEDGE and receive our weekly prayer text - Mondays at 5:55 pm. Pass this article on to them and encourage them to take the pledge - to pray, vote, and engage. We are here for each other in this time.