2020 - Worst Year Ever? - Light Scribbles

2020 - Worst Year Ever?

9/7/2020

Nine months ago you were so excited about the New Year. New year and a beginning of a new decade. You had your hopes up. You may have crafted resolutions, plans, and goals for this year. You tell yourself, "This is going to be my year!"

But then, as the year begins, here came natural disasters, threats of war, sudden deaths of people we look up to in different industries, increased racial tensions, and the most notable one, the covid-19 pandemic.

It's amazing how a tiny, microscopic virus could shake the whole world. The virus has taken millions of lives around the world, shut down businesses, crashed the economy, and forced people to stay at home and adapt to the new normal.

Perhaps, you have dreams that were just about to take off but these undue circumstances just won't let you fly.

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21

It seems like every month of 2020 has its own surprises nobody asked for. The uncertainties and fear about what will happen next is wreaking havoc to most people's mental health. And all these predicaments left a lot of people cursing 2020. But, what if all these troubles are teaching us something that has an eternal value?

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14

We need God more than ever.

Everything may seem to be so messy right now and it feels like the end of this dark tunnel is nowhere near. It is easy to think, "If God is truly good, why would He allow such troubles to happen?" Beloved, God is good! Remember that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

The sufferings we face today remind us that we need God more than ever. We live in a fallen world and these troubles are inevitable. There are certain things in this life that we cannot control, but we can trust the One who has overcame the world to give us hope. Rest in this truth, our God is greater than all the troubles we face today. His love and mercy remains the same.

Come home, beloved, come as you are. God is waiting for you.

Love more!

Perhaps, this season also wants to teach us to love more. Life today seems to be shorter than it is. We will never know what will happen next. Hold your loved ones a little more tighter, let them know how much you love them. If there's one good thing that this year gave us is more time spent with our family. Covid-19 forced us to stay home allowing us to bond more with our families.

Seeing all these troubles happen around you can be so overwhelming. It reminds you how limited you are as a human being. It's even harder when we can't wrap our friends around in a hug and whisper, "It's going to be okay." Don't forget to check on your friends and those people who might need a little more encouragement to keep them going. Speak life! Allow yourself to become a source of light to those who might need them.

This is also the time that we could extend God's grace by giving or donating reliefs. This pandemic really affected the livelihood of many families. Some lost their job, others are barely earning today. No act of kindness is too small to make an impact to someone's world. Even if prayer is all you can give, pray for them. God will be more than happy to bless you and provide for the people you've prayed for.

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers you did it to me.’ - Matthew 25:40

It is safe to say that 2020 is indeed a tough season for all of us. But do not let the troubles of this world shake your faith and dim the light of hope in your heart. Rest in knowing that God is sovereign above all and still in control. You can trust Him that He knows what He's doing. Remember that in your weakness, God is strongest. Find peace and completely rely on His unfailing love and grace to carry you through.

Plans may have been cancelled this year, but the bright future God has for you will never be cancelled.