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Today, it is likely that our province will return to some sort of lock down. We have had the highest daily increase of active cases in the country over the past couple of days. Our premier has announced a news conference and we all wait for how renewed restrictions will affect us.

Certainly, it is a time of distress for many. Those who have loved ones in long term care facilities or hospital wonder if they can continue visiting. Those in these facilities face a renewed time of isolation. Those with compromised immune systems may feel an increasing threat to their health with man more cases of COVID in the community. Business owners wonder about the viability of their business. Employees wonder how this might affect their jobs. Students at school wonder if they will need to go back to on line learning. We at the church wonder if our in person ministries will be shut down again.

So, in these times we need to again turn to the Lord and keep perspective. Psalm 120:1 states “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.” Our God does not sit idly by when we experience distress. He is not a disinterested observer. He is an active responder. He responds with help. Psalm 121:1-2 famously portray this. “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who mad heaven and earth.” So the God who made the earth – everything we see and know about planet earth – helps you. He will help you whatever your situation and whatever your distress.

With the Lord’s help firmly in mind, we also gain perspective by learning what others face on our planet. Many face distress because of unique challenges we may not face. I think of the people of Honduras who are trying to recover from the second hurricane in a month to hit their country. I think of people in Ethiopia who have had to flee war. This morning, I saw a picture of several just sitting by a rocky shore on the river as they left their homes behind. Even as we think about the possibility of not getting together like we usually would at Christmas, I am reminded of military families. Many of them have experienced multiple Christmases separated from their loved ones. They have survived.

With this perspective of God’s help and God’s provision for all we still have, we can receive whatever news comes down today with faith. May God grant you His grace and strength for whatever distresses you today.

“Thank you God that answer us when we’re in distress and help us with our troubles. Remind us to keep our eyes on you and then look at our challenges through the lens of Your great help. Then empower us to think and live with hope. Amen.”