Paul Harvey once said, “In times like these, it’s helpful to remember that there have always been times like these.” I read that in my morning devotional yesterday and it really struck home. I’m soon to be sixty-nine years old. In those nearly seven decades, there have been plenty of “times like these”. The Cuban Missile Crisis. Assassinations. Wars. Riots. 9/11. The Pandemic. So many challenges. And, through all of them, the biggest sacrifices came in the form of loss and grief.

It’s easy to let our imaginations run wild and head to the worst case scenarios. There’s nothing wrong with planning and being prepared. But obsessively ruminating over all the bad things is not where God has called us to stand. In Ephesians 6:13, we are instructed to take up the full armor of God so we can withstand the evil of the day and, having done all, to stand firm. Those last six words are the key.

We need to do our part…do everything we can that God asks us to do, then stand still and watch how he works it all out. Standing still. Letting go. It’s vitally important. Because you cannot hear the voice of God when you’re screaming and in a frenzy.

Life is incredibly beautiful and incredibly hard at the same time. There is so much wonder and so much ugliness. And it all happens at the same time, just not always at the same place. For the most part, we have lived long stretches of what could best be described as a charmed life in this country. We have enjoyed privileges so many in this world cannot even dream of. We’ve come to enjoy that…expect that…even demand that.

Everyone, at one time or another, has experienced great hardship in their lives. The last few years, we have had a collective hardship to bear. Watching the pandemic play out around the globe has perhaps brought us into closer community with our fellow earthlings. We’ve become more aware, dare I say…empathetic. I hope this pulling together continues, because a house divided cannot stand.

Our best way to do that is to remember the scriptures that tell us to not be afraid, to do what God asks us to do, and then stand still…stand firm…and listen to that still, small voice.

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“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Ephesians 6:13-20 ESV