Is there really hope from beyond?

How can we remain positive in the midst of a crisis? How long can we hold on when all we see and hear are the sufferings of people? Sometimes I wonder.

Will it ever come to an end? 

Is there really hope from beyond?

The past few days have been challenging for my entire family. I was so frustrated with this coronavirus that’s causing suffering to many people, especially my loved ones. The sad thing is when you can do nothing to ease the agony. Away from the situation, but it seems so near. Our soul connection makes their pain my pain. If only I could carry the burden for them.

The heaviness I felt hearing their voices over the phone.

Checking once in a while how everybody is doing.

Sharing one’s difficulties by listening to each other.

Yearning to embrace and to provide comfort, and yet the circumstances hinder us from doing so.

I could go all day and all night feeling frustrated and questioning everything. But I did realize that the denial of the situation would only steal my peace of mind.

With my uneasy and restless heart, I turned to God in prayer.

I did not know exactly what to tell God. I just surrendered to Him the situation.

Sometimes it is in the silence of our hearts when we pray the loudest.

Lifting everything to Him in total surrender.

This trial in our family led me to contemplate many things. I have come to fully appreciate the gift of family and the call to love. Despite the differences and past conflicts, everything is set aside in times of trouble.

Love brings healing.

Love knows no boundaries.

Love conquers fear.

It is when we struggle the most that we learn to love the most. It is during these desperate moments when we realize how far love can go. And it is during these helpless situations when we are reminded that we are limited, and that we have no control over everything, no matter how much we try.

Nevertheless, there is grace in every obstacle. I am amazed at how God manifested His provision in many ways. When you allow God to be God, you will see His wonders over the situation. From afar, I witnessed how the Lord intervened in many instances. He never abandoned us.

Receiving updates on progress every once in a while.

Reading messages of prayers from your friends.

Hearing faith declarations from your family members.

Indeed, this trying time brought us closer together and made our relationship stronger.

Prayers work. But God, in His incomprehensible wisdom, has His own ways of answering our prayers. It may not always be the way we want it to be, but we can be assured that God meant no harm and that He has the best in mind for us.

I thank the Lord for His constant love and faithfulness. No virus can stop God’s grace. He is with us and He is ever present in every season. He remains faithful.

Though we are still in this battle, we will get through this together. Anchoring our hearts in love—the strongest vaccine, this virus is defeated.

My prayers go as well to those in the same situation. It’s okay to get disheartened, but this too shall pass. One day, the sun will shine again. But even amid the storm, there is a rainbow beyond the horizon. We will not be shaken, for by God’s hand we are saved.

At times, this pandemic seems hopeless and the agony feels eternal. There might be many questions as to why and when, and yet the answer is nowhere to be found. Speaking words of hope and affirmation is easier said than done through the lens of hardship. But despite the uncertainties, the ‘Truth’ remains: God is with us! He is Lord over everything.

Even when we don’t see it, He is working.

Even when we don’t feel it, He never stops working.

The suffering, the loss, the goodbyes, and the bitterness in this life are all temporary. These are all passing. Setting our minds on things above and not on earthly things, may we continue to trust in Him and to hope in His promised eternity.

Truly, there is Hope from Beyond!

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” —Zephaniah 3:17