Let's be honest... COVID has brought up so many unknowns. I do not have all the answers I wish I did and I would be lying if I said I wasn't anxious about the upcoming school year. Despite my anxiety, I am confident that our school district and our staff is going above and beyond to make this school year not only safe, but engaging and effective. The immense amount of preparation going into this school year has been a bit overwhelming. There are so many new protocols and procedures being set in place that sometimes being a teacher feels like I've taken on the role of so much more. As my specific roles and expectations as a teacher have changed throughout the summer, I have found myself consumed by "what ifs." During a conversation between my dad and I, I was re-enlightened to just how strong I needed my faith to be during this time of "unknowns." My dad directed me to my Bible, as he consistently does in my times of anxiety. Psalms 91 was just the reminder I needed.
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
During these times of "unknowns," it is so important to remember that there is nothing on Earth that can stand against us or interfere with God's plan. Verse 15: "I will be with him in trouble" stands out to me. When I am feeling troubled and anxious, I must remember to look to him for reassurance and rest. As I put on my mask this morning, I reflected on verse 4: "His truth shall be your shield." There have been many days that I have put on my Earthly shield for protection, but failed to accept my heavenly shield. As the beginning of the school year is approaching, I feel less anxious as I constantly remind myself that I am protected by the armor of God and his truth. There is nothing-including COVID that can stand against our God. "I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
