Women’s Ministry Minute
May 6, 2020
With Diana Fischer
Is this time we’re experiencing an opportunity for reflection, growth and peace or days filled with isolation and quietness? For me, as a member of the age group that’s the cause for concern, it’s all the above and sometimes all in one day. I’ve been retired from teaching for nine years, so not quite remembering what day it is goes with the territory. There used to be times in my calender set aside for get togethers such as church activities, food sorts and times meeting with friends and family. However, the times that are markers for days will return and let me say, I will be so excited!
To be frank, however, the last two months have been tricky to navigate alone. As encouraging and pleasant as it is to be able to text and call friends there's nothing like face to face interaction with friends and family. Let me just say that I am extremely grateful for the place God is allowing me to reside. There’s a lake, or a retention pond depending on who’s describing it, lots of beautiful flowering trees filled with birds singing and many wonderful friends I’ve made in the neighborhood. However, every day when I arise I have to make the choice to be grateful for this time of solitude and peace or fall into the trap of self-pity because of the isolation. To be honest it can go either way depending on how firmly I am relying on God and His family or allowing my emotions to determine my day.
To pull myself out of a downward spiral requires me to remember how deeply God loves me and how He’s shown time after time how He’s protected me. I know I’m never alone but it takes concentration on His word, it takes God! God’s word is my protection and reset of my emotions.
In the past I have made lists to help me sort out my emotions. On one side of the page I write exactly how I’m feeling and opposite of that what God’s truth says so that whenever I’m tempted to return to those emotions I have the antidote readily available. Recently I did the same thing with a study of Deuteronomy purposefully looking for attributes of God. In my journal I listed 24 verses describing the characteristics of God from that study. Now they are easily accessible so that whenever I’m tempted to feel isolated or alone I can see how God watches over and protects His children. I will include some of my favorites and the main idea of the verses.
4:9 God can be found
4:31 God is merciful, He will take care and watch over you
4:39 God is over all heaven and earth
5:28 God listens to us individually and as a group
7:9 He is the faithful God
9:4-6 God gives good things because of His righteousness, not ours
10:18 He defends the weak
32:7-9 God plans and watches over us
I’m hoping these verses can also comfort you if you also are struggling with the changes we are experiencing during these difficult times.