Thanksgiving Amid Uncertainty and a Global Pandemic. 2020 will go in the history books as “the year to pause and reflect” among other descriptors. Many of us who are used to run on the treadmill of life with no rest were forced to abruptly stop. Some of us were literally thrown off the treadmill and we were not ready for the impact. Others found themselves slowing down to a complete stop. Yet others experienced the treadmill speeding up to the point of unsustainable speeds.
Who are you in this picture? How has the COVID-19 Pandemic affected your personal and professional life? Most importantly, how has the Pandemic affected your spiritual life? Depending on your circumstances described above, if you found yourself suddenly on the floor, hurt, and disoriented because you either lost your job or someone you love died from the virus, did you ask others for help? Did you go to God for help and comfort?
If you found yourself “slowly slowing down,” your business deals consistently going away and not booking new business while, at the same time, your kids’ school closed and now you have to play teacher. Did you pivot your business? Have you found new ways to bring income to your home? How are you coping mentally? How are your children doing with the “distance learning” or “in-person learning” during this time?
Lastly, if you are in the third category and your treadmill of life sped up to an unsustainable pace (like doctors and nurses treating COVID-19 patients or bankers doing Paycheck Protection Program loans), were you able to slow down eventually? Or did your body give in, you let go of the handles and flew off the treadmill? Were you able to establish boundaries to say, “No more, I cannot handle any more.”?
My personal experience was a mixture of slowing down to zero traveling and, on the other hand, increased work to stay on top of the community banking industry. All my in-person speaking engagements were rescheduled from the spring and summer to now the fall. But God provided more consulting work when speaking was non-existent back in May. Overall, I have had some balanced days and some completely crazy days. But the best blessing throughout these past months is that my husband and I spend quality time at least once a week with our grandson. This is priceless and I thank God for this privilege daily.
Your responses to the questions above will vary based on your unique circumstances and your personal relationship with God. However, regardless of your situation, the entire world experienced the effects of the 2020 Pandemic in more than one way. Another way this year will go into history is as “the year that everything happened” and will never be forgotten. But you can prevail and continue life with God’s help.
The big question I ask myself and I ask you is: In the midst of uncertainty and during this Pandemic, have you used the additional time you’ve had to reflect on your relationship with God? Have you stopped to thank God despite the circumstances?
Thanking God during tribulation seems absolutely absurd and goes against our human nature. However, that’s exactly what we must do to obtain the grace, equipping, wisdom, and strength to get through adversity. When we thank God regardless of the circumstances we’re living through, He listens to us and He provides everything we need to get us through.
I encourage you to push through, believe in God, ask Him to help you through this tribulation and He will. Ask Him for wisdom and discernment as to what to do next, how to handle your children’s education, and to give you strength for each day. My hope is that this Pandemic has brought you closer to God and that your spiritual life will flourish because of this tribulation… I will leave you with these promises from the Scriptures:
John 16:33 (KJV)
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Psalm 116:1 (NLT)
I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications.
Psalm 116:17 (NLT)
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.
Philippians 4:11 (NLT)
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
Happy Thanksgiving!!