Has anyone adapted to the pandemic yet? Probably not. It is such an unusual situation. As people are losing their jobs from the economic chaos, financial adaptation can hit people hard. Are we going to get knocked off our rockers or adapt?
Growing Pains
Ouch, losing a job during a pandemic is rough, no doubt. How can we grow through this? How can we be matured in Christ?
Many people are losing their jobs, their sole source of income directly resulting from the pandemic. It is a stinking tough one to adapt to.
Simply having a “good attitude” doesn’t provide food, shelter and medicine/supplements for the chronically ill.
So how does a person survive?
I don’t have that answer but God does. All I know is that experiencing 7 years of not being able to provide for myself because chronic illness kicked my bum and I could not work, God provided.
It is not a saying. It is not a good attitude. It is not a warm fuzzy.
The reality of it is GOD REALLY DOES PROVIDE.
You cannot put a paper and pencil to it and see the answer. You cannot do the math and find an answer. You cannot stuff enough dollars under the mattress to have the answer. You cannot have others who will take care of all the finances for you.
Instead, it is through these wild times like a pandemic or intense chronic illness that take away our ability to work, that we are faced with our limitations that we can so clearly see how God provides.
It is wild, but He does it. He faithfully does it, over and over again.
Sure, we won’t have all of our creature comforts. Sure, we have to do some adapting to a new reality of having less. Sure, we need attitude adjustments to our perception of money. Sure, we have got to adjust, adapt in ways we never imagined.
So who provides the ability to adapt? God does!! Ask and you shall receive.
Yep, it is gonna hurt to adapt to the financial realities of losing income during this pandemic. Ask for provision to adapt instead of asking for all of the creature comforts that we have become so used to that we view them as requirements to sustain life.
Life is going to change for many MANY people financially through this pandemic but God’s provision never changes. He is right there as He always has been providing for us every step of the way.
Those of us who have been chronically ill can help others adapt to the financial realities of a changing global economy. We hopefully have become more resourceful and can show others how to be as well.
Humm, that in itself is provision. God already knew there would be a pandemic. God, maybe, used the situation of our chronic illness to benefit others through the pandemic. The people in hysteria who actually hear the peace and calm of a chronically ill person can see a hope that is so much bigger than a pandemic. God has this!!!!
When there is a mountain in front of a chronically ill, stubborn, faith-filled person, we find ways to go over it. When we are not given the provision to go over it, we ask for provision to go around the mountain. When that doesn’t work, we simply expect God to know the way through the mountain.
Obstacles are just obstacles. Losing jobs and income is a significant obstacle. Losing a job during a pandemic creates even more obstacles. Does that diminish the fact that God is God, the provider of all? Not whatsoever.
Provision is given to us, especially when we are willing to adapt. Adaptation can mean that we have ENOUGH for today. Look at what Jesus showed the disciples…
35 Then Jesus asked them (disciples), “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
“That’s enough!” he replied.
~ Luke 22:35-38 NIV
As I read that today, I looked back on 7 years of lack of ability to make an income. I did not lack for true needs. I had ENOUGH during it. It did not feel that way at the time but when I broke it down into each day, I really did have enough. God provided and it was a powerful statement to His faithfulness in very rough times.
I was grown through the process. My perception about money was tweaked, twisted, and turned upside down. My priorities had to change. My choices had to change.
Now we are in the middle of a pandemic and finances have been hit hard again. Somehow I am actually glad I had those lessons from the financial loss during illness. In a way, this is just another layer of healing my perception of money and provision and healing my soul from the ways of this world.
We can adapt. God has provided. We will find different ways of making an income that we never would have thought of before had it not been for a pandemic.
When I get stuck, my attitude starts to dip, I think of manna. I think of all the people who have gone before me and had to adapt to all kinds of things. Adapting is part of the human experience. Adapting is a form of hope.
May all of you be blessed with hope during this pandemic.