Stress about Corona: Psalms 23

There is a lot of stress going around about the Corona virus.  So many different ideas about the virus on the news and social media one does not know what to believe anymore!  Changes in the way we live are updated daily.   We are limited in where we go and what we can buy.  Businesses are closing, and people are losing their jobs.  The government is making promises but can decide which ones they will keep.  At least the “stocking up” has slowed down at the Walmart I work at as we are now limiting certain items.  So much stress!

Stress affects us in so many ways.  Those of us who struggle with physical health issues find stress increases our medical issues.  For instance, I have chronic pain throughout my body.  It has become more difficult to manage my pain due to stress.  Others who have scheduled appointments or surgeries are being told they must wait.  Added stress!

People with mental health issues are struggling too.  I know of one lady who has anxiety and she has confided in me she is having a hard time due to stress.  Counselors are affected too.  A former mentor/therapist friend told me he was going to need to have phone sessions with some of his clients.   He looked stressed when I saw him!

About a month ago I was reading Psalms 23 and I was amazed how much it helped me.  I felt led by the Lord to share some in sight from these verses.  The scripture below is written in italics and is from the New International Version.

A psalm of David.

1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

The Lord will: supply all our needs.  In Jesus’ teachings on worry we see we do not have to worry about our needs being met.   Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life. 

2He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

When I think about this verse I think of peace.  There is an older chorus titled “Peace Like a River”.  This passage reminds me of this song.  We can have peace of mind because the Lord loves us.  He is: meeting our needs and giving us the rest, we need.

3he refreshes my soul.

Ah! My soul refreshes every time I turn to God in Bible reading and prayer.  What sweet communion we can have if we: trust Him to meet our needs and calm our hearts!

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

He will lead us in the direction He wants us to go if we are willing.  If we follow His leading we will have: our needs met, have peace and be refreshed.  God’s name will be honored if we follow the path He wants us on.  So many times, I have gotten off the path and had troubles and damaged God’s name and my own.  Regrets!  But I am Forgiven!

4Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

Yes, we will go through dark valleys in life.  The Corona virus is certainly a dark valley for the whole world.  But we do not have to stress about it!  God is with us!  God has a purpose for having us go through this stressful valley.  Maybe He wants us to learn to trust Him to: meet our needs, show us His peace, help us to be refreshed, direct us and to know He is with us always.

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

Theologians can tell you what the rod and the staff are all about in this passage, but I want to talk about God’s comfort.  Some of you are grieving loss.  Let God comfort you!  Trust Him for: your needs, peaceful hearts, refreshing times, direction, to know He is with you and to find comfort.

5You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

We do not have to worry about enemies seen and unseen which rob us of our joy.  We can have overflowing joy if we: trust God to meet our needs, give us peace, be refreshed, follow the right path, feel His presence, and let Him comfort us.

6Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

God is good and He loves us!  He will show us love and goodness if we trust Him to: supply our needs, show us peace, help us know refreshing times, lead us down the right path, know He is with us, Know joy and give us comfort.

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Ah! Heaven awaits!  We do not have to be stressed out about this virus.  God is in control and He is preparing a wonderful place for us to live with Him.  Are you trusting Him for: your needs, to give you peace, to be refreshed, to go down the right path, to know He is with you always, to give you the comfort you need, have overflowing joy and to show you love and goodness while we wait for us to take us home to Heaven?  Do not Stress about the Corona virus.  Just Trust Him!