Even When

Good morning VCA family and friends! This is the day that the Lord has made, and He only makes good things. So let's rejoice in Him, be thankful, and be a blessing to others. Today's word is from Abbey Rodriguez. It will both encourage and challenge you. Hello Church Family, Some of you know this about me, but I have a tendency to allow fear and anxiety to take over and it has been like this for years. In fact, I have to work VERY hard to combat it on a normal day. Well, I think it is safe to say, we are not living in "normal days" right now. It feels like we are living in something out of a movie and we just need the credits to start rolling so we can get back to our everyday lives. But we don't know when that will be. Like PR talked about yesterday, we have no idea what tomorrow or next week is going to look like. Given the fact that I am prone to give into fear and anxiety and the fact that I am due to have a baby on Monday, I have to work a little bit harder than usual. I have been combating that fear by spending as much time with Jesus as possible, seeking His presence, worshiping, and taking every thought captive. In that, I want to share some beautiful truths God has shown me. 1. We are ALWAYS invited to stand under the umbrella of His peace. - John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - "You will keep in perfect peace he whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts you." Isaiah 26:3 The peace that is promised in both verses is "Shalom," or "perfect and complete peace." This peace is not conditional, it remains in the presence of chaos, devastation, whatever may come. And we have the option to choose it even now...especially now. It may be a minute to minute decision for some of us and that is ok, but keep choosing it. 2. There are aspects of God's character that we can only know during trials - I have known the Lord to be so many things to me: Rescuer, Healer, Provider, but up until this season, I have never known Him to be MY Warrior. I have been praying for peace and protection to cover us and every time the news got more bleak, the opportunity to panic became easier, the fear of what COULD happen started to set in, I saw MY WARRIOR show up and push back the darkness. Throughout this time, I have been met with perfect peace that HAS NOT LEFT ME. Even when the CDC said pregnant women were some of the most at risk. Even when I felt contractions starting. Even when I felt I was getting a cold. Friends, I beg the question, what aspect of God's character is He dying to show you in this? We have a GLORIOUS responsibility right now. It does our family members, co-workers, friends ZERO GOOD if we are panicking and hoarding all of the toilet paper. Why? Because the message they hear is that we believe in our Almighty God when things are fine, but when chaos is our reality, He isn't enough. Let your message during this be one of hope, of peace, and of the unrelenting FAITHFULNESS of our King, even when...

Sincerely, Abbey Rodriguez