COVID-19 Novel Encouragement Sample

What Have I Learned?

I’m writing this on a Friday, and it’s been nine weeks to the day since I first heard we couldn’t have church that first Sunday. My family has had our daily life rhythm completely transformed for the past 63 days, and the question I’ve been asked and asked other people more times than I can remember is this: “What have you learned from this COVID-19 time?” My answer: God. That’s all. And yet that all is more than I expected.

1. I’ve learned that God is bigger than me and my family.

I like to organize my surroundings so that I have a certain measure of understanding and predictability in my life. I like to organize my home so that I know where things are and, as much as possible with five kids and one dog in the house, I like it to be orderly. That’s been hard lately.

2. I’ve learned that God is bigger than our health.

We try to eat well. No seconds on dessert (well, most of the time), and you have to eat vegetables at our house. We exercise. After all, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit! (1 Corinthians 6:19). Lately, our health and very lives have been threatened by COVID-19.

3. I’ve learned that God is bigger than our work.

My and everyone’s work-life has changed. I’m lucky enough to have a position that can work from home or online, but many, many people have lost their jobs because they can’t get out right now.

4. I’ve learned that God is bigger than our economy.

The global economic implications of COVID-19 has already been significant, and things aren’t finished yet!

What it means for God to be bigger:

1. God knows what my family needs and He continues to guide us through this ever-changing time. He gives us times of laughter and rest together, and gives us times of challenge. But all along, He walks ahead of us.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

2. God is in full control over our health situation, granting us both good health and times of physical struggle, because overall, He is most concerned with the state of our soul. He uses times of strength and times of weakness to draw us nearer to Himself. Job understood that message beautifully when, after having recently lost his home, livestock, and all ten of his children, he was able to say,

Though he slay me, I will hope in him. Job 13:15

3. God is bigger than my employment situation. He leads us in and out of jobs, always desiring to use our talents to make His name known to all people of all nations because people knowing Him is His greatest desire! Though my job might change, God remains the same.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

4. God owns it all. Even if our global financial systems crumble and fall, God will provide. Our economic lives will look very different, but God has a plan and a purpose in all of it. Because, like our health, God takes us through ups and downs in order to draw our hearts back to Him. He is greater, and much, much, more important than any amount of wealth we have.

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24

Because of this lesson, for the next many days, Novel Encouragement will be sending out a series of articles on God. In this “God Is” series we will explore the many attributes of the infinite being that created the universe, and created you. If you already know Him, we pray that you will come to know Him more deeply. If you do not yet know the One who created you, became a man and died an awful death to pay for your sins, we hope that you will come to know Him and give your life to Him. Because He’s worthy.

What have I learned from COVID-19? God.

Prayer: God, help me see that You are bigger than anything I am, anything I have, anything I want. Help me trust you completely, no matter what struggles come today. Help me see things through Your eyes and praise You always, for You are worthy. Amen.

By Joshua Kruse, BICF-ZGC, Beijing