Yes, You Can!

It has been five months since COVID-19 began to devastate the world – mentally, physically, economically, medically, racially, and culturally. It is amazing how an invisible virus could cause so much damage. It can dominate every area of life, if allowed. I have spent the last five months reminding fellow Christians that we do not have to allow (we must not allow) this germ to weaken our faith in Almighty God.

The problems caused by COVID-19 are real and to the natural eye seem insurmountable. But our God is all-wise, all powerful, and everywhere. His power did not weaken nor was His authority stripped because the world’s governments do not know how to conquer this horrible disease. Jeremiah 32:17 declares, “‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”

The God who is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent decided to strengthen His people to overcome anything and anyone who threatens to harm them. Paul describes this infusion of power like this: “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” (Philippians 4:13, Amplified Bible).

When friends call distraught, I remind them of the overcoming power deposited in them by Jesus Christ and the sufficiency of All-Wise God. Several of their concerns are:

· I have been in the house for five months. I’m ready to go shopping, meeting friends for lunch, and go traveling. My response is, “You can stay in the house as long as it takes because it is the wise thing to do. “You can do all things through Christ who strengths you.”

· I am laid off my job because of COVID-19. The stimulus check and unemployment checks have ceased. I won’t be able to (pick one - feed my family, pay my rent, put gas in the car to look for a job). My answer is, “Yes, you will pay your bills! Our all-wise God will guide you to the needed resources (food banks, job leads, rent relief). He can give you debt cancellation in the middle of this pandemic. Glory! Philippians 4:19 says “And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

· I am so worried that I or my family may die of COVID-19, I cannot eat, sleep, or think clearly. My answer is, “Yes, you can sleep!” Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” (John 14:27 Amplified Bible).

· I have been in the house with my spouse for five months and I discovered that I do not like them. I can’t stay in this marriage. My answer is, “Yes, you can! Do not let Satan destroy what God gave to you! Work it out. Get counseling. Pray.” Mark 10:6-9, Amplified Bible explains, “But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother [to establish a home with his wife], 8 and the two shall become one flesh; so that they are no longer two, but [are united as] one flesh. 9 Therefore, what God has united and joined together, man must not separate [by divorce].”

Sisters, we must rely on the promises of God and stop viewing our circumstances through the lenses of our human ability and experience. On our own we are not going to be victorious. If the effect of this virus has crippled nations, it can easily destroy us, our families, and our communities. Sisters, we Christians possess a supernatural weapon: the power and authority of God infused into our spirit to be victorious in the middle of this pandemic. It is activated by our knowledge of and obedience to His Holy Scriptures and our belief that He cannot lie.

Following are Kingdom strategies we can employ to be victorious in these perilous times:

· Meditate on the word daily – “This book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8).

· Pray, tell Him what you need and how you are feeling - “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8)

· Trust His Word, whether you see the answer today or not - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

· Think good thoughts. Avoid negative conversations. – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

· Speak Victory – “For, “The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not], Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit)” (1 Peter 3:10, Amplified Bible).

· Live the truth we know – “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33).

Sisters, through faith in Our Heavenly Father and obedience to His Word, we will be victorious in and through this pandemic. Let us decree to ourselves and each other, “Yes, I can!”