We’re in the midst of a crisis in our nation and in the world that is causing devastating effects in so many areas of life and for so many people. All because of a virus that is causing sickness and death throughout the world and seems to be unstoppable.
It’s surely a wake-up call, isn’t it? Does God have the first place in our hearts? Do we trust Him as the King who has control, even when fear and troubles threaten to drown us?
Sometimes we may wonder why God doesn’t stop these things. Does God really care about us? Yes, He does! If He didn’t, He wouldn’t have created us or sacrificed His own life for us.
Following Jesus will never keep us from getting sick or dying. But He has promised He will be with us no matter what happens. And through trials, He teaches us to depend more on Him, lean into Him, and allow Him to be first in our hearts and lives.
As the coronavirus spreads quickly, may we not lose heart…
“I have told you all this
so that you may have peace in Me.
Here on earth you will have
many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because
I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NLT
♥ ♥ ♥
Jesus replied,
“You do not realize now
what I am doing, but
later you will understand.”
John 13:7
Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Parades and activities have been cancelled, but I don’t think St. Patrick would have minded. He didn’t strive for “man’s empty praise.” (Hymn – Be Thou My Vision) By God’s grace, His Treasure was in Christ Jesus, and his life pointed not to himself but to Christ and the hope and salvation we can find in Him.
St. Patrick Quotes
even before they were made –
even me, his poor little child.”
God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me afar and anear,
alone or in a multitude.”
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.”
Amretasgraphics – Homemade with Love and a Happy Heart
Be Thou My Vision
Irish Hymn Sung by 4Him
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all”
Freed to Fly 
Oh, what comfort these words offer today, Trudy! Yes, we can find peace in Jesus even in the midst of this terrible storm raging across our nation and the world. May we continue to pray about the situation and for God’s healing power.
Blessings!
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I’m so glad these words offered comfort to you today, Martha. It truly is a terrible storm. May we find peace in Jesus and may God use His power to heal!
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Ahhh, Trudy, you share so much calming truth in this post! You’re so right. It’s times like this that reveal who has our hearts. I’ve been challenged by the fear, but I keep coming back to the truth that God knew this was coming before the first person became ill. He isn’t surprised by any of it. He is still God, and He is still good. And He will bring us through this time. He is the giver of peace. As we set our minds on Him He gives us His peace.
I loved the St Patrick quote about arising each day with God’s strength to pilot us (and all of that one!). Sending you hugs and blessings, friend.
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I’m so grateful you find calming truths here, Jeanne. Yes, God knew what was coming. Even long before our births. I love this truth you share – “He is still God, and He is still good.” Amen! May we cling to that! And may God’s strength pilot us! Hugs and blessings to you, too!
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Dear Trudy,
Thank you so much for these comforting and encouraging thoughts. I love the way that you combined these precious thoughts from St. Patrick into our current trials today. He walked in a very difficult place, but yet, he brought the peace and beauty of Jesus right there. Oh, how I pray that I would allow the Lord to show His beauty and presence here as well. And thank you for sharing the beautiful hymn. It’s so perfect for today. Love, hugs, and blessings to you dear friend! xoxo
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I’m so grateful you found comfort and encouragement here, Bettie. Isn’t it a blessing how someone’s precious thoughts from long ago are so applicable today? I can’t imagine what St. Patrick went through as a slave. And what grace God gave him to answer His call to return to the very country where he was enslaved! May God help us to answer His call wherever He may take us, even if it means through a journey of chronic illness! I’m with you in praying to allow the Lord to show His beauty and presence here as well. Love, hugs, and blessings to you, too!
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These are such comforting reminders, Trudy! These last few days have truly shown us that we are not in control of nearly as much as we’d like to think, but it’s so encouraging to remember that God knows and cares, and he is with us in it all. I love the St Patrick quotes and the song Be Thou My Vision too. Love and blessings – praying that you and your family are safe!
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Thank you, Lesley. I pray you and your family are safe as well! Yes, it’s so encouraging to remember God knows and cares and is with us in all of this. Love and blessings to you, too! May God be our vision and Pilot each moment!
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Thank you so much for this encouraging post Trudy! I had forgotten about that hymn. It is so beautiful and brings peace to my mind and heart. Take care, Trudy and may He be in your vision, always!
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I’m so glad you were encouraged, Lynn. I love that hymn, and I’m so grateful God brought it to my attention again. It’s such an important prayer longing, isn’t it? Not only at this time, but always. May He be our Vision, our Treasure, and our best thought by day or by night!
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Thank you for these comforting and encouraging words. So needed during this uncertain season.
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I’m so grateful you were comforted and encouraged, Mary. May God help us to cling to Him and His faithful love in this uncertain season and always!
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I’m behind in commenting on blogs this week, Trudy, but what a breath of fresh air to read yours today! Your quotes by St. Patrick are so powerful, and the verses too. I’m praying for you, my friend … I hope you are well.
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We certainly need those breaths of fresh air, don’t we, Lois? Thank you for praying for me. I hope and pray all of you are well, too! Yes, St. Patrick’s quotes truly are powerful. May God give us His strength, might, and wisdom to pilot us, uphold us, and guide us!
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