For about over a month now we comprehend the fact that we are living in an unprecedented time in history. We live under national lockdown like many other nations worldwide due to Covid-19 Pandemic. We have witnessed unpredictable life crisis from different dimensions which has hugely affected our daily living. This rapid pandemic brings about tremendous threat, harms extensively the mobility of humanity and has no signs of being quickly restrained in the near future. The outcome of all these is that it has developed into a crisis which in a broader sense has impacted various areas of daily movement, such as despair, fear, anger, helplessness, fatigue and many more.
In times of despair such as this, it is crucial that the way we lead our lives is not merely based on panic caused by circumstances and our surroundings, rather we sincerely need to go back to the bible and see what the word of God tells us. It tells us in (Hebrews 13: 8; Deuteronomy 31: 6, 8 - NASB) that we can see a new hope even in times of crisis because our God has proclaimed to us that He never changes, never will He fail nor forsake us.
Ravi Zacharias had rightly pointed out that, “God can show us the pattern of our lives if we will just see his gracious hand that has brought us thus far already.” The door way for our confidence to overcome daily challenges is the fact of acknowledging the God who has led us thus far. Therefore, as a common saying goes, a wise decision maker is aware of available resources before taking the final decision. In this current pandemic scenario, as we are going to make some shifting crucial decisions in life, whether it might be in Profession, Business, Careers, Job and Resettlement in new places, I would like to highlight a few thoughts that I hope will help us in making our choices:
Develop a Clear Vision: Solomon reminds us the need of vision, “Where there is no vision, the people Perish.” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). It helps us navigate our path, shape our vision or point out our destiny. It also enable us to have a realistic plan for what we long to achieve in life. Jamang Ngul Khan Pau had rightly pointed out vision as, “It is the mental eye, a mental picture of the future.” Do I have a clear vision?
Setting Priorities right and Hard work: Outstanding model from a biblical viewpoint in light of our crisis at present is, “But Daniel purposed in his heart he will not defile himself... ” (Daniel 1:8 KJV). We can see a well-managed and focussed life of a young man resettled in a foreign nation who did not compromise on his priorities before God. Mike Murdock once said, “Find something that consume you, something that is worthy of building your entire life around.” Today we tend to be driven away by all kinds of things around us and miss out our priorities in the process. We need to have the potential and master first one key skill before trying out other options around because the competition and the demands criteria for any profession or Job in today’s world is extremely high. This is even more specific in the scenario of Covid-19 Pandemic and Job crisis worldwide, as it appears only potential, skilful and hard workers alone will survive. We need to be ready to take up the challenges that come along the way even as we pursue and prepare for the next steps ahead of us. Along with hard work it is essential to keep a clear track of our priorities - Jacob’s life of perseverance, hard work and setting his prorities in life is notable, “So Jacob serve seven year...Jacob did so and completed her week...” (Genesis 29: 20, 27-28 NASB).
Basic Exploration over what we Plan: Exploration is the foremost ground work for what we plan ahead. The stability or instability of your work will depend largely on the ground of exploration you have done. Some brainstorming tools for exploration/investigation are the 4Ws & H - What, Why, Where, When and How? These are some of the probing tools Nehemiah had used for his plan for rebuilding the fallen walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:11-15). Getting the right information from a right source or person is important for the right motivation and to proceed further with confidence. Do I have a careful examination over what I plan?
Readiness for Humble Beginning: The life of Joseph shows the rise from a humble beginning of being in a situation of extreme lowness to rising to become a key person in his master’s house (Genesis 39: 1-4; cf. 37:28 KJV). We usually overlook the humble beginning of Joseph’s life and put too much focus over his greatness or success. Extraordinary or outstanding success does not happen out of a sudden, instead it begins with being consistent or faithful in the humble little/small beginnings. If we are not ready for a humble beginning or for a start with the little things using the skills we have today, it may be that we are not ready yet for success in life.
Life of Simplicity and Discipline: The Apostle Paul’s words in his letter to the Corinthian believers reminds us of a perfect example when he talks about self-discipline for obtaining a goal “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9: 27 cf. 2 Timothy 4:7-8). Things which we achieve without putting in the time, effort and sacrifice or through unjust means are of no value because they simply do not last long. In today’s world, it seems as though we want success or would welcome it without having to pay the hard work or put in the sacrifice to get to it. We are thrilled and eager about leading a successful life at any cost, but we never want the effort and the commitment that it would require from our lives. Zig Ziglar said, “Discipline yourself to do the things you need to do when you need to them and the day will come when you will be able to do the things you want to when you want do them!” Are you ready for a life of simplicity and discipline?
A.C. Dixon once said, “When we depend upon organizations, we get what organizations can do; when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do.” It is worth noting for a Christian in such a critical and a dilemma moment such as this pandemic scenario to carefully choose his new phase of life by being fully dependent upon our great God, the master of our lives. He will give us the wisdom to choose what is best for us and keep us from making blunders.
Integration Approach to Crisis: It is important for Christians to understand that crises in our lives are not a mere negative connation. The literal meaning of crisis as defined by Thomas Oden, is derived from the Greek word ‘krinein’ which simply means “to decide.” It also means a turning point or critical moment in life. It often occurs as a crisis in life, when the coping mechanism or ability fail to cope up with the challenges one faces. Therefore looking at the etymology, crisis in a broad sense offers a paradigm and puts us at a crossroad of opportunities which we can decide to pursue to bring about changes in our lives. There are ample of evidences in the bible for followers of Christ to be strengthened. One of the many ways is to reflect upon the crisis the early biblical Godly men and women went through.
New Perspective to Consider
None of us are exempted from crises but what we are exempted from as true children of God is that we don’t walk alone in times of crises. God will guide us even in the deepest crises and sustain us. Even the godliest person can experience different crises in his lifetime under God’s knowledge. David beautifully portrays about God constant presence with His children and provision in midst of despair in (Psalm 23).
Our life’s crisis is not a crisis to God and He does not panic like us, rather He in His supremacy is in full control. He also knows the exact nature of our circumstance. The word of God declares His greatness “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46: 10 KJV).
Our lives’ crises will not last forever no matter what it may be. God knows the best way to handle and settle our problems. It will come to pass at a certain point as the word of King Solomon extensively declares seasons of time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
Let us see the underlying profound meaning of what King David wrote in (Psalm 145). The Psalmist explains how every aspect of life whether the good or bad times revolve around him and His will, not our own. True satisfaction and life’s fulfilment which we long for is from Him alone. Brethren unless the Lord will be with us, whatever we do is vanity in our lives (Psalm 127:1 NASB). The picture of God as one who protects and sustain is evident in both these Psalms. The choice and decision is yours. My Prayer is that we will learn to walk along with God in the midst of life’s crisis and the Coronavirus Pandemic.
John 14: 19 “...because I live, you will live also.”
Peace of God be with you!
* Thugelh hon petu (Tg Gou Khan Khual), Bethel Veng, New Lamka akipan Pa Gin Suan Kap’ tapa ahi. Khual in Global School of Counselling, Bengaluru apan March 12, 2017 in M.Sc./ Master of Science in Counselling Psychology (Integration Study) na zoukhia;tu in Counsellor, Project Rescue Suraksha Home, New Delhi ah seem lel hi. A tung ah lungdam hang.
