This month I feel like my life has disappeared twice.

The first time was about 10 days ago. I sat down at my writing desk at the start of the day and opened up my calendar to see my well-thought out list of things to do. When I flipped to the month of March where I had posted everything, the page was blank. My to-do list was empty and every square on the calendar spread had disappeared. I blinked and sat there in disbelief.

Where did my life go? It was as if someone took a big eraser and decided to blot me out. Every appointment and deadline was gone.

After a few moments of mental paralysis, my brain finally kicked in and started to process. I remembered that I had used an erasable pen to write in my calendar, and I thought about how I had left the important date book on the dashboard in my hot car the previous day.

I googled “how to make a Frixion pen ink come back,” and I found a lovely YouTube video where a very wise man suggested that I get up from my desk, walk into my kitchen, and place my empty calendar into the freezer for a couple of hours. I had nothing to lose, so that is exactly what I did.

I am delighted to report that later that day I had a very cold calendar with visible words on it once again. My life hadn’t disappeared at all — I just needed to change the atmosphere a bit.

Now it’s a week later, and I’ve had to pull out my calendar again and erase much of what I had written in it anyway. Because of COVID-19, much of my life is on hold. I’ve had to say goodbye to lunch dates and small group Bible study. I’ve grieved the loss of face to face fellowship with church family on Sunday. As an extrovert, I am dearly missing all the human contact I so much crave.

Maybe like me you are sitting at home wondering how you are going to pay the bills and hoping you don’t run out of toiler paper. If you are are feeling like. your life has disappeared, and all of your well laid plans for 2020 have gone to waste, you are not alone.

Here is the thing that I’ve had to process over the last few days: although this whole flu pandemic has put us all in a frenzy and disrupted our lives, none of this is a surprise to the Lord. Our Heavenly Father has allowed this season, and that means that He has a purpose for us even in this. He has work for us to do even when it seems like our life has disappeared.

The Apostle Paul spent a great deal of his ministry in prison. His life disappeared over and over as disruptions and opposition overturned his plans. But, he did not let that deter him. Think about this: most of the New Testament was written when Paul was stuck in a situation where he probably felt quite powerless. But, he persevered nevertheless.

I’ve been reading through Paul’s letters looking for wisdom to help me navigate this season, and I want to share with you 4 moves you can make even though you are stuck at home feeling helpless right now.

4 Moves to Make When It Feels Like Life Has Disappeared

Fan the Flame

Just as you stoke up a fire, you need to prod your spirit to stay aflame. Tend to your spiritual life by investing daily time in fueling  your faith. Open up your Bible, listen to an encouraging podcast, tune into a sermon online, read a book that moves you.

“I’m writing to encourage you to fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you when I laid my hands upon you.” (II Timothy 1:6, TPT)

Don’t live in fear

The enemy of our souls wants to fill our hearts with worry, but instead we can choose to worship. We can live with confidence that our faithful God is fighting for us. We can lean on His strength, rest in His love, and pray for wisdom and discernment when life seems out of control.

“For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control” (II Timothy 1:7, TPT)

Face Adversity with steadfast resolve

You may endure suffering, but you can trust God will keep you safe. The Spirit will empower you and supernaturally provide everything you need to survive this season. Your Savior sees you, understands your pain, and will step in with His strength as you move forward in faith.  

“So never be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor be embarrassed over my imprisonment, but overcome every evil by the revelation of the power of God!” (II Timothy 1:8, TPT )

Fulfill  Your Calling

God’s plans for you are not limited by time, space, or your own frailty.  Before time began, God purposefully created you and placed you precisely where you are today. He has given you a firm place to stand, and now your job is to glorify Him with your words and actions.  You are exactly where you need to be for God to shine through you.

” …for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling, a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose, not because of our works, or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this, but because of His own purpose and grace, His amazing, undeserved favor, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began eternal ages ago.” (II Timothy 1:9, AMP)

Need more inspiration on how to stay fervent when you are feel like your life has disappeared? I’ve created a one-page printable to help you meditate on the awesomeness of your God and fire up your faith during a season of adversity. Grab a copy and spend the next 7 days focusing on how your God is able to help see you through anything. Every morning, you can sit at His feet and strengthen your walk as you remind yourself your faithful God is in control. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.

When life is disrupted, we have a unique opportunity to share how God is at work even when life is seemingly out of control. Today. you can tell someone who is freaking out about this pandemic that God is present and will provide every need. You may be stuck at home, but you can still shout His praises. You can share you have an unshakeable hope in Christ and help someone find safe haven.

You can make an eternal difference in someone’s life by pointing to Jesus. You can pray for peace to reign in the hearts of your loved ones. You can speak life over the discouraged. My friend, see this disruption as a divine opportunity to partner with God.

If it seems like your life has disappeared, trust God has a plan and purposefully persevere.

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