We seemed to all be at a breaking point yesterday. Jojo, my 13 year old, is struggling to understand the severity of all of this. And as much as I want to be completely honest with him, I wonder if I’m doing more harm than good to be so blatantly honest with him. The last thing I want to do is instill fear or panic in my children. But I also want them to understand that this is a “big deal.” He is upset that he can not go anywhere for spring break. He’s upset that he can not go spend the night with a friend. I get it…we were looking forward to going to Hilton Head Island this week and it looks like our NYC trip that we surprised the kids with for Christmas more than likely will have to be postponed. He was insistent today that this was all stupid and that he didn’t understand why we needed to “follow the rules.” Jojo is a sweetheart and rarely gets this way. When he does, I know he’s at that breaking point with whatever he’s struggling with. So I took the time to explain why we “follow the rules.”
I reminded him that our leaders have given us specific guidelines and have asked us to practice social distancing. And as hard as it is, we must do as they say.
Not only does God ask us to be subject to the governing authorities, He tells us that they have been instituted by Him. Right now is not the time to divide into our political parties and critique our President and our leaders. Right now is the time to come together as one and pray for them.
I could not imagine what our leaders are having to go through. We may not all agree with everything they say and do, but the Lord calls us to pray for them. And in my opinion, I feel that we can and should extend them grace. I sure wouldn’t want to be in charge of an entire nation right now or really ever!
Trusting our leaders is also trusting God because if He allowed them into office then I must trust that He is also working through them.
Today I ask that you join me in praying for our President and our leaders. Also pray for the leaders of the entire world because at this point everyone is involved and affected by this virus.
Father God, thank you for another day. I know it seems that we are all on a hamster wheel living the same day over and over. As I woke up to the news, it’s a constant talk about the coronavirus. This seems to never end. But Lord, it makes me think about the leaders that you have placed in our nation and around the world. It makes me think of the stress and anxiety they are facing. Today Lord I ask that you will give them supernatural wisdom and knowledge to make the decisions that are going to lead our nation out of this pandemic. Lord, we trust that who is in office has been placed by you and we cover them in prayer today. We ask that you protect them and guide their steps in the middle of this crisis. Jesus in your name I pray that you will bless them and keep them. That you will shine your face upon them and be gracious to them. I pray that you will turn your face toward them and give them peace. And that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus. It’s in your name we pray, Amen.
Today I am reading Romans 13 as a reminder to trust the governing authorities.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
Romans 13:1-2