Stop Longing for Things to Return to Normal!

By David Ettinger

Unbiblical Notions?
I’ve been reading in the blogs of believers recently how they lament that things are no longer what they were before Covid-19 and the nationwide riots, and how they wish things can return to the way they were. These sentiments are often accompanied by fear.

Though I understand this, I can’t help wondering if it is anti-biblical. After all, God’s Word speaks against believers enslaving themselves to fear, at the same time encouraging us to embrace our current realities rather than bemoan the loss of the “wonderful” days gone by.

The Bible teaches believers to grab hold of the present, and to shine as diamonds within the darkness.

Biblical Direction
Regarding fear – particularly the kind propagated by the current crises – Psalm 34:4 assures us: “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.” Notice how we are to seek God in times of fear, not to surrender to it. We are to live as those on the winning side of history and not cower. Fear is natural, and when we find ourselves falling under its weight, we need to ask God to rescue us from it.

Regarding longing for the “halcyon” days gone by, Jesus does not want us languishing in them, but moving on from them. Philippians 3:13-14 instructs us: “… but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This is not easy as, after all, we are told to “press on.” But nonetheless, we are to stop relishing the way things were and forge ahead in the current reality.

And regarding your faith, don’t you realize that you grow through the difficult times and stagnate during easy ones? James 1:2-3 teaches: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” And, of course, we have the famous admonition of Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It is through the darkest times that our faith is perfected. 1 Peter 4:12-13 tells us: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you: but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

Forge On!
It is natural for people to fear and lose heart, but we worship a supernatural God who promises to work in our fear, lift us out of it, and refine our faith in the process.

Regarding things going “back to normal,” Christians should banish the thought! Before 2020, my life was easy, and my zeal, I now realize, was shallow. But with all that has occurred, my dedication to the Lord has greatly increased. My Bible reading has almost doubled. I am more acutely aware of how close we are to the return to Christ, and how many lost souls are in peril of leaving this earth in that state!

I believe all that is happening is a blessing for Western believers and should serve as a wake-up call for us to be going about the Lord’s business, not lamenting what we’ve lost!

Please, believers, stop fearing and mourning the past. Rather, ask God for zeal and compassion for the lost, and the desire to serve our Lord Jesus as never before.

Oh what a time to be a believer!

Tagged: Be Strong in Christ, christian living, Covid-19, Current Events, Difficult Days, No Back to Normal, Riots, Stop Fearing

Posted in: Application, Bible study, Bible teaching, Christian Behavior, Christian Ethics, Christianity, Comfort, Commentary, Culture, Current Events, Devotional, Drawing Close to God, Editorial/Blog, God's Divine Plans, Loving God, New Testament, Obeying God, Practical, Resting in Jesus, Serving God, The Return of Christ