Don’t be in the water when your life vest is in the boat! You need assurance in times like this.

Is your seat belt tightened? Is the life preserver you’re wearing holding your head above the dark waters of this pandemic? Is your hope intact? Do you feel like the foundation under you has been replaced by a sink hole?

If you are struggling right now, can I give some words of encouragement to enable you to regain your emotional and spiritual balance? First, let me tell you what you must not do. Do not pin your heart and your hope on the news being given you. Look for directions from it, but since none of us is totally sure what word is a true, authoritative word … we cannot rely on it for our peace.

We can be dragged around by our fear and uncertainty very easily during a time like this. It’s like the slope under us is slippery and steep and we struggle grabbing on to anything to keep us from going over the edge. The more news we take in, the more we discuss with family and friends, the more wrangling we allow into our hearts, the less calm assurance we have.

There’s really only one sure word that can bring back peace into all this chaos. It’s God’s Word!

I’ve gone back to reading the Psalms and Proverbs every day, and I shouldn’t be, but I am constantly amazed at what happens in my heart and spirit when I do. If you are trying to survive on only what people are saying, your seat belt isn’t fastened, your life preserver is in the boat while you’re in the water, your hope offers no real security, and your foundation is crumbling under you.

God’s Word is for this very hour. Read it and let it chart your course. You can trust the One who loved you enough to die for you. Get into the Psalms. Here’s a jump start:

“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.”

Psalm 34:7 NLT 

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”

Psalm 23:4 NLT 

“He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor.

 Now you don’t need to be afraid of the dark anymore, nor fear the dangers of the day;

nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.^” Psalm 91:4-6 TLB 

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with

songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 NIV