It was over three months ago that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the first confirmed coronavirus case in the United States. In the weeks since then, schools, churches and places of work have been closed, sporting events and tournaments have been cancelled, and unfortunately thousands have lost their lives. It’s easy to lose heart and become discouraged, but our troubles should not diminish our faith.

Romans 15:13 (ESV) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Don’t let the fatigue of staying “healthy at home”, or the pain of “social distancing” from friends and family, or the fact we cannot worship together in-person allow you to conveniently drift away from the church. Instead, renew your commitment to your faith.

Philippians 3:13, 14 “¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

When we are experiencing this terrible illness all around us and the personal hardships and distress it has caused, realize that this life is not all there is! As we face these daily troubles, it’s easy to focus on the pain and suffering rather than our ultimate goal. Know that one day all these troubles will be over, but also know that no matter what happens to us in this life, we have the assurance of eternal life through Christ.

Don’t forsake your eternal reward because of the intensity of today’s pain, we must focus on the reward for our faith and the joy that lasts forever. As Christians, our ultimate hope is knowing that we will live in eternity with God in a place without sin and suffering and knowing that can help us live above the pain that we face in this life.