On a scale of 1 to ginormous dumpster, how ready are you to throw 2020 in the trash can? Have you become depressed or ready to give up on any hope of a recovery this year?

I’m writing this not only for my readers who may be down during this time, but also for myself. It hasn’t been easy being in isolation and being limited to online get togethers. Some days it’s really depressing, even for an introvert. I love time to myself, but not being able to go out and see my friends face to face or have game night or have Wednesday night dinner at church? Oof.

Let’s face the facts: times are tough. Things are going to be tough for months to come. The recovery isn’t going to bounce back overnight. We can’t escape isolation for at least another month. This is our life right now.

Here are the alternative facts: times are still good because of Who’s in control. Things are going to be good for months to come (and forever) because of Who is in control. The recovery will come ~ we’ll make it through this like every other time with God. We can’t escape His embrace, ever. We are immensely blessed right now.

Notice how a lot of the facts of our current situation is all about perspective?

God has a plan for us. He knew about this virus before we did. He knew the road we were on before we even knew there was a fork in the road.

I seen the below meme on Instagram (of course) and I was like… ya know what? God isn’t ready for this year to be wasted and trashed. Why would we do that? This is a blessing!

God has a plan for this year ~ as crazy as that sounds, I know. Do you see how this has brought people together? How we’ve slowed down and we’re forced to spend time with our families instead of running to Target to get away. We’re cleaning out our lives (or at least our rooms and closets). We’re getting outside and enjoying nature (because spending 12 hrs on a computer or cell phone probably isn’t ideal). We’re digging into the Word, or at least we should be.

Why trash something God gave us? Have you ever given someone a gift and then watched them put in the trash right after opening it? How lame would that be. That’s what it would be like for us to take a gift from God (today is that gift) and waste it just because we don’t like the circumstance that it was given in. No matter which way you flip it or reverse it, today is still a gift from God and He has a treasure to unveil for you if you would just use today for His glory.

So, will it be trash or treasure for you today?

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

Psalm 9:9-10

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it’s own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:34