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!
Blue Collar Theologian
September 21, 2020
Amen! Well said. This is the cry of my heart as well. While God has rattled my snow globe (life) I am trusting Him to work things out. Now, more than ever are we seeing/living through events that the Word says must happen before the end. We (collective whole) say “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!” yet we are rejecting what that entails. I am not eager nor looking forward to suffering persecution in various forms, but I know the Lord is with us and will see us through until we are home with Him.
LikeLiked by 4 people
dettinger47
September 21, 2020
“We (collective whole) say “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!” yet we are rejecting what that entails.” Precisely!
LikeLiked by 3 people
seekingdivineperspective
September 21, 2020
I just want Him to wait until a few more of my loved ones are saved …
LikeLiked by 2 people
dettinger47
September 21, 2020
Same here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robert
September 21, 2020
To be honest, I felt, and hopefully well received, a bit of a rebuke to me in my “Healthy Fear” post. I was also reminded of the verse from Solomon in Ecclesiastes, “Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise.” I suppose, without excusing myself, I’m bemoaning the increased difficulty nowadays for believers to meet up together in person. I know it’s not a Biblical statement, but I guess I have to remind myself that “this too will pass”. Ultimately we long for the day when faith gives way to sight, and we shall be forever with our Lord. Maranatha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
September 21, 2020
“Ultimately we long for the day when faith gives way to sight, and we shall be forever with our Lord.” I think that’s the key right there. Well said, Robert!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robert
September 21, 2020
I could probably have left it at that, but I’ve gone and written a post inspired by yours: Solomonic Wisdom for Lockdown Days! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
September 21, 2020
Sounds good. Heading there right now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
seekingdivineperspective
September 21, 2020
“Normal” is SO overrated. If we have grown – which we SHOULD have been doing, or this time has been wasted – we should never want to revert to what we were.
P.S. Posted on Facebook:
“Dear Mom,
Does your offer to knock me into next year still stand?” 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
September 21, 2020
Great comment (the top one). Well said.
Regarding your bottom comment, yes, I saw that on FB as well and laughed out loud. Oops, I mean, LOLed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Son Of God
September 21, 2020
Everything is going to be alright, just hold on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
September 21, 2020
Ultimately, at least.
LikeLike
craig
September 21, 2020
Philippians 3:13-14! Yes! This is a hard thing and an ongoing battle. This is good exhortation and applies as well to my declining health, I realize. God bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
September 21, 2020
God bless you as well, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mrsmariposa2014
September 21, 2020
Amen! Excellent and needed word, David! May we embrace this wake-up call while there is still time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Crissy
September 22, 2020
Well said David. In agreement, totally !
LikeLiked by 1 person
heavensreef
September 22, 2020
I stopped longing for normal a while ago…….I am very excited to see revival happening across America. Let us be HIS salt and light wherever we go. PRESS ON forward to the prize of HEAVEN! Live in the beautiful present HE gives us. Don’t embrace fear which is the enemy pulling you into that……if we live by faith, we will walk by faith. HE is our ROCK!! Now is the time to spread the GOSPEL because JESUS is returning soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
September 22, 2020
So well said, Maxine. Amen and amen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
heavensreef
September 22, 2020
Blessing David! Press on every single day GOD gives you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
September 22, 2020
Same to you, Maxine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sheila D.Currie Blake
September 24, 2020
Great post! thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
jarilissima
September 30, 2020
Very encouraging post 🙂 Here in Colorado, we’ve been adapting and staying close to the Lord. I hope you and your fam are doing well too. God bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
September 30, 2020
You as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person