Jesus said, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). We’ve all encountered impactful events that seem to signal the “end of the world.” For my parents’ generation, World War II was such an event, a pivotal juncture splitting their lives into two distinct eras: “before the war” and “after the war.” Similarly, the COVID-19 pandemic has become a defining moment for many of us, marking a clear division between life “before COVID” and life “after COVID.”
When God called us to Oregon near the beginning of our marriage, it felt like a foreign land to me, far from my beloved homeland in New Brunswick, Canada. Yet, it was where God placed us, and I grew to love it. Over the years, Oregon became our home, filled with memories, friends, church family, and all the good things we experienced in our walk with God. And then COVID-19 disrupted everything.
Suddenly, the place I loved became a source of fear and uncertainty. Decisions made by local authorities seemed intrusive, controlling, and unreasonable, throwing our lives into disarray. I got caught in the downward spiral of negativity.
The place I loved became the place I hated. The place where I had felt settled, and content had become a veritable nightmare of lawlessness and terror. I wanted to flee. Anywhere. I wanted to escape. Anywhere. Anywhere was better than where I was. My mind was bombarded by anxiety and fear.
Interestingly, amid turmoil, we tend to maintain our habits. I kept doing what I had always done—serve God and work in ministry. What I was doing stayed the same, but my spirit was in turmoil. I begged God for a way out, believing escape would bring peace, sanity, and order back into my life.
In His mercy, God led me into an Apostolic church service far from Oregon, where no one knew about my inner unrest. The pastor’s message on a Sunday morning was a word from God specifically for me. It was as though God sat beside me, whispering, “peace be still” into my emotional storm.
I felt like a child, terrified and confused. Then my big, strong daddy picked me up, held me close, and said, “It’s going to be okay. You’re safe. You don’t have to worry. I’ve got this. I’ve got you.” Through His messenger’s anointed words, He instructed me, “Don’t flee.”
I wept and prayed for forgiveness for not trusting, for allowing the enemy to torment me. The peace of God flooded my spirit and washed away fear and confusion. Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, NLT).
It’s comforting to know God loves us individually. I have always felt God’s love, guidance, direction, protection, and provision. But this experience was unique and intimately personal. I felt cocooned in His love. I will always treasure the voice of God through His spoken Word, bringing peace to my spirit. I’m glad we know the peace giver.
