Pandemic Devotionals: How the World Overcame Fear with Faith

Pandemic Devotionals:

How the World Overcame Fear with Faith

Edited and Compiled by

Alisa Hope Wagner and Holly Smith

Introduction

Nothing surprises God, not COVID-19, the shutdown or this season of uncertainty. In fact, though the storms of life rage all around us, we can find perfect peace, knowing that God is sovereign, and He can turn all things—even a pandemic—into our good (Romans 8:28).

This anthology is a collection of stories that demonstrate God’s people choosing to cling onto faith, not fear, during a pandemic, which could cause many to experience feelings of anxiety, doubt and worry. But there is Hope, and His name is Jesus. While reading through the pages of this book, expect to be encouraged, blessed and filled with a peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Included in this book are devotionals of real-life stories that give testimony to God’s goodness during an extremely challenging and somewhat strange season. We have forty writers with different backgrounds, genders, races and ages that all have a united heart to testify God’s goodness through His Son, Jesus Christ. You will gain a deeper and wider awe and wonder of God’s favor and grace as you dive into the hearts and minds of other Believers through their anointed words.

Also, we have included one-of-a-kind artwork and poetry that will bless your imagination and inspire your creative senses. We pray that the words you read in this anthology will both comfort and reassure you, settling your heart and mind on God’s supernatural rest.

We do not have to live a life of fear. We can trust in God’s love and faithfulness, as we discover Him during both times of difficulty and delight. Let God’s insurmountable love for you push out all fear from your mind, situation and life. This book will, indeed, help you in that endeavor.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18 NIV).

With love always,

Alisa Hope Wagner and Holly Smith

♡ This book is dedicated to the loving memories of Jennifer Darr and Thomas Putz.

Forward

I am by nature an introvert and a homebody, so for the most part, staying at home doesn't faze me. I can always find something to do to keep my mind and hands busy. Hence, when the lockdown began, other than worrying that we were in a pandemic, I was fine. In all honesty, I didn't understand the extent of it, or how long it would last—who could? However, after a few weeks, it began to sink in. The walls felt like they were closing in and the days began to run together. It's okay when you choose to remain inside but it's different when you must.

As the days and weeks went by it felt like I was simply in waiting mode, but waiting for what? Everyone wants the world to get back to normal. To stop feeling apprehensive, get back to steady work, to know that when they go to the grocery stores the shelves will be stocked, that there will be no shortage of toilet paper ever again and most of all that their family, friends and the world-at-large would be okay. There is a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness that can overtake you when you are in waiting mode, and if left unchecked it can quickly spiral out of control. Hence, for my own peace of mind I always try to find ways to actively wait.

Active waiting makes the time pass faster.

There is an old adage that says, a watched pot never boils. Truly, it does feel as if time is standing still when you are anticipating something or focused on something you want to change that is beyond your control. One of the lessons I've learned is to do something while you wait. Back to that watched pot, have you ever noticed that the minute you turn away to do something else the pot starts to boil? Well, it seems that way. Active waiting makes the time pass faster. One of the things I did was enroll in a few classes that interested me. I hadn't been a student for a while, so I had to be focused and attentive since I wanted to do my best. When I needed a break from studying or something to distract me, my husband usually had great ideas.

We organized our own version of Chopped, took long drives with our music turned up loud, singing along, spent time in God’s Word and prayer and just enjoyed each other’s company. I’ve seen people do so many innovative and creative projects during this time. This Pandemic Devotional Anthology is the brainchild of two women who wanted to have something tangible that highlighted the positive stories of how people experienced God’s love, comfort, provision and direction during the pandemic. Like many others they were not content to wait passively. They found ways to be productive while adjusting to the new normal the world was experiencing. I tried to do the same.

Always be ready…

The pandemic also showed me how quickly life can change. One day you’re going about your life and everything is fine and the next day life looks totally different. The things that you took for granted, like going outside, visiting and hugging family and friends, even going to church you suddenly had to think twice about. It reminds me of the many Scriptures that talks about the return of Christ.

When we made our plans, set or goals and created our vision boards for 2020, we made them with hope and expectation. No way in our mind did we expect the 2020 and now 2021 that we are currently experiencing. Whether we were ready or not, we had to adjust to the new normal we face today. However, when Jesus comes, we won’t have time to adjust our focus. We won’t have time to search for what’s missing in our hearts and lives. He expects to find us ready and waiting. What if the next big change is His appearance? Are you ready?

- Bernadine Zimmerman

Hands and Heart Unite

Hands and Heart Unite

What say you, my heart?

What do you see?

What message would you offer

To a wrestling weary world?

Hands, what can you do?

What work is now required?

What heavy lifting might affect

Some measured hope of change?

What vision now unfolds?

What plans lay poised to bloom?

What mission can march forward,

While the world is on its knees?

Oh, knees and soul lament.

For now, it’s time to pray.

The prayers our eyes now see,

Our hands and heart unite.

Fear Not

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV).

- Patricia Tiffany Morris

Fear Not

Have you ever wondered what you’re most afraid of? I asked the people who are dearest to me, and most answered with things like “snakes,” “bugs” or some type of way to die. People fear so many things. I’m sure mothers and fathers fear for their children’s safety and children for their parents’ safety. People may fear getting sick or even possibly losing their material possessions. By asking this simple question, I learned that fear is universal. Everyone deals with things that scare them. However, just because fear is common doesn’t mean it’s normal.

So, if fear isn’t normal, then how as Believers are we supposed to respond when God tells us fear not? This question strikes a deep chord within my heart. Fear truly is a powerful weapon that can be very destructive. So how are we supposed to overcome it?

I often picture us, as followers of Jesus, like trees. Every tree has roots, and the depth of those roots determines how strong the tree actually is. Fear is a tool of the enemy used to uproot the faith of a Believer.

In 2020, the world was struck with a global pandemic known as COVID-19. This virus caused a complete shutdown of all local gatherings, including that of the local church. People were forced to self-quarantine and remain completely isolated—even, at times, from the family members within their own household. With mass hysteria and confusion surrounding this new virus, many of my own family members refused to even step outside to their backyards. Human contact was now restricted to facetime and Zoom calls. This fear, however, did not surprise the Lord God Almighty. God is not only aware of our tendencies as people to be fearful of the unknown, but He cares about the things that try to invade upon our faith in Him.

The words “fear not” appear over 300 times in Scripture, yet we so commonly fall into this trap. When COVID-19 first struck America, I was terrified. I was instantly willing to isolate myself from everyone around me without so much as a thought of the impact it would have on myself and others. As far as the impact on our world, we saw a drastic increase in anxiety, depression, and rates of suicide.

One night, my mother called me in a panic. She was concerned about the possibility of a nationwide food shortage. I immediately rushed to the grocery store in hopes of stocking up on anything I deemed necessary. Upon walking into the store, I saw people running trying to grab anything near them, people arguing over certain products, the elderly being pushed to the side by younger generations and more. Fear had completely eradicated people’s care towards one another as well as their ability to discern right from wrong. It became survival of the fittest. I couldn’t get that image out of my mind as I left the store. As a nation, we had allowed fear to cripple us. And in our crippled state, we tried to remove the only barrier keeping Hell from completely breaking loose on Earth: the local church.

While fear was trying to grip the hearts of so many, God’s grace allowed me to be under church leadership that saw this pandemic for what it truly was— an attack on the Church. Through God’s wisdom and our pastors’ courage, the church I attended chose to reopen while other churches remained closed.

Throughout this process of reopening and realizing this fear was hurting my relationship with the Lord, my prayers shifted from prayers of protection to prayers of boldness for the gospel as in Acts 4. As I continued to press into more of God, I began asking for more of His Presence. It is His Holy Presence that strengthens us and encourages us. It is His Holy Presence that separates us as Believers from the rest of the world. This includes how we respond to fear.

In 2 Timothy 1:7 we see that God is not the originator of fear. In fact, God’s presence in that time of my life encouraged me to “fear not” and reminded me that He is working on my behalf. However, this fear that I was able to overcome through the Lord was not overcome because of a lack of opportunities to fear. My entire family remained fearful; the whole world around me remained in fear. This overcoming of fear was not due to a lack, but rather an overwhelming assurance from God that I am still in His “righteous right hand” and no devil or principality could remove me from it (Isaiah 41:10).

Satan loves when he can distract us and plant fear into our hearts. Fear is not something we can control. We aren’t able to compartmentalize it because it spills over into every area of our life. This causes us to lose our focus on Jesus. That is why God, all throughout Scripture continually reminds us “fear not.” This simply means to have faith that our God is bigger than any situation we may be facing. It’s not having faith only if the situation is removed but knowing that our God is bigger than any situation even if it doesn’t go away. We can have confidence to trust that He is more than enough in every way.

It’s important as Believers that we understand why God continually tells us not to be afraid. It’s not to undermine our emotions but rather to encourage our faith in Him. In Scripture we see that we will go through trials and struggles following Jesus; but God tells us not to fear because when these struggles come to pass, we will not have to go through them alone. He will always be there for us. We just need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and remind ourselves of His faithfulness every day.

SCRIPTURE

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV).

ABIDE

LORD, I come to You. All of me, abiding in Your loyal love for me, I come trustingly. Help me today to throw off what hinders and the sin that tries to bind my hands. Instead, LORD, I lift my hands high to You, as a child with his Daddy. I trust You without question this moment, LORD Jesus. And I expect that You will work out everything in perfection in its time. In the mighty Name of Jesus, I pray, saying Amen—let it be so.

OVERFLOW

When you feel overwhelmed in fear, if you can, take a shower! While a bath is nice and lovely, a shower encompasses your head. Let the water run over your mind and envision every fear washing down the drain for good. Imagine the cloud of witnesses from Heaven surrounding you and cheering you on in the faith. Then picture Jesus at the front, smiling and clapping, too! Take a five-minute shower break to pray, to release and to renew your strength and faith today. If a song of praise comes to your mind, begin to sing, boldly declaring His goodness. And as you towel off and get dressed, picture yourself being dressed in the righteousness of Jesus, whose hand has sustained you thus far.

- Mario Carrete