Many are asking, “What am I going to do now?” Let’s talk about it.
First, let me list five surefire steps to victory before we discuss the challenges facing the world today. The steps are “ask, listen, believe, obey, repeat.” These steps will cause you to be victorious no matter how big the problem you are facing.
Second, let’s state the obvious: there are so many voices, all speaking at the same time.
- “I believe this is all a hoax. Do you personally know someone with the virus?”
- “I got laid off because of the virus and I can’t pay my bills.”
- “My family can’t come to visit me, and I am lonely.”
- “I have a compromised immune system so I going to stay away from everyone because I might catch the coronavirus and die.”
- “I am going about my normal day in my normal way because I am born again, covered in the blood of Jesus, and cannot catch the virus.”
- Stay home, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and cover your mouth when you cough.
Third, in addition to the cacophony of voices, the pressures from the coronavirus have exacerbated pre-existing negative conditions:
- Increased child hunger because school is out.
- Increased domestic violence, sexual abuse, and elder abuse.
- Increased anxiety, depression, fear, suicidal impulses, increased drug use in all ages.
Breathe. There is hope. Let us go back to the five sure-fire steps to victory. James, Jesus’ brother, explains them this way:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do (James 1:2-8).
When we do not know what to do or we have done all we know to do and things still are not right, get excited. Our faith is being tested so that we can graduate to the next spiritual level. To assure we pass the test of faith with flying colors, James has given us five steps to victory:
- Ask – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault,
- Listen – and it will be given to you.
- Believe – But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,
- Obey – because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
- Repeat –next time the evitable test, trial, temptation come.
Good news! Our Heavenly Father is all knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere. Let us tell Him all about our fears, insecurities, hurts, and frustration, praying in Jesus’ name. God, through the Bible and through his Holy Spirit, will tell us what to do.
Faith without works is dead. Ask Him, listen to Him, believe Him, obey Him and you will get through this season of coronavirus (and any other life challenge) in victory. Join the conversation.
So true with what is going on today, encouragement faith and strength is needed. Thank you dr Haire
Thank you for joining the conversation
I enjoyed reading this so needed information. I am sharing this with church members and friends who have reached out lately for guidance on decisions regarding work marriage etc. Thank You. Dr. Haire
Vivian Burroughs, you are an awesome, caring teacher. Thank you so much for sharing with others.
Anonymous. God never said that our walk with him will be a bed of roses, things will happen, but the question is what will we do when things like the pandemic happen. Do we listen to the news & people and what they are saying, are do we trust in the Lord with all our hearts and be concerned with things going on around us. I have read and I believe God word that tells me He have not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. God is the one in control and He’s the only one that have all power. Faith is action and our action is when we have confidence in what God says and speaking to whatever the mountain is and it should obey you. This Pandemic is not bigger than God, so stay focus and know no weapon formed against you will prosper.
Thank you, Dr. Haire, for this timely blog. We’ve all faced various challenges before but I don’t think we faced anything like this. As a child of God we have the comfort of knowing that we are under his wing of protection. That no matter what we face God is with us to lead us , to guide us, and to protect us. I thank God that I can bring my fears ,my needs,my insecurities, my whatever, to my Father. Ps 91
Linda Malone, so many people are joining you in meditating on Psalm 91. Thank you for citing it.
Thank you for reminding us what Gods words says. Faith in God and His word gives us hope with victory.
I’ve learned that thru every storm, trial, hurt and pain God is with me thru it all. I thank God for every beginning there’s an end. Count it all with Joy. No test, no testimony!
Thank you or reminding us, Judy Ware: No test, no testimony!”
Lovely article, Dr. Haire. One of my favorite parts of your article is when you are taking about obedience. That’s the most vital part to our christian walk. Thanks for sharing.
Linda Malone I agree we are faced with something that we have never seen before, but my question is there anything to hard for God. God said He will not leave us nor forsake us and I believe that to be true. People are worried, frustrated and wondering what they need to do to be safe and to keep their family safe? GOD is the answer and trusting GOD, by asking for his protection and believe that God will answer because He want us to ask in confidence that we shall receive. God word says to cast all you cares on Him. I have no doubt that God is concerned about us no matter where we are, who you may be around are whatever situation you may be in, you are not alone.
Such an refreshing word.
Praise God!
A great message! We all have to remember that God is still in control!
Amen, Bernice, yes we do.
This is needed! Thank you for reminding us what to do in times of distress so that we respond correctly and God gets the glory
Amen, Adriene, we must make sure that God gets the glory! Thank you for joining the conversation.
Bernice Wilson I agree God is in control and He can do exceedingly abundantly above what we can ask are think. I believe that God is all powerful and the earth and all the people in it belong to Him. We have to look to those things that we can not see, because those are the things that are eternal and everlasting. We are not of the world so we can not think like the world. It’s a unsettling time for everyone but God says He will supply all our needs and will never leave us are forsake us.
I appreciate the simplicity of this blog, enabling us to embrace many truths and get through this temporary Pandemic. His Word is truly the only answer to navigate our path. Thank you for being a vessel to keep pointing the “Way” in His Word!
Pastor Wilma, thank you for joining the conversation. I love God’s Word!
Dr Haire I have no doubt that you love God and His Word. I have been in your presence and have heard your passion and your commitment to the work that God have given you. I love your blogs that are filled with wisdom and the anointing of God. Thank you for sharing with us on these blogs
Arletha Thomas, thank you for joining the conversation.
Thank you for reminding us that we are to “ask, listen, believe and obey” during all things, but especially now when so much is happening and people are forgetting to turn to God for answers. Jesus is truly the Way! Thanks Dr. Haire for outlining our actions during uncertain times.
Certainly a word needed for this season we are experiencing. Thank you for keeping us grounded.
Cynthia, thank you for joining the conversation. God’s Word does indeed keep us grounded.
Patricia, you are so right. Jesus is truly the Way!
Thank you, Dr. Haire, for the right now word!!!!!!! Thank you for jogging our memory of God’s control in these perilous times. He is worthy of all the PRAISE.
Glory to God!
God’s Word is true. Thanks for breaking it down and reminding the Body that God’s way is the only way. There are times when we may ask but not listen or we may listen and not obey. His plan is laid out for us ‘step by step’ so that we can obtain victory even in challenging times. Keep allowing God to use you to strengthen the Body.
Shirley Ingram, thank you for joining the conversation.
Thank you Dr. Haire
This word is needed to remind us of our faith in God. So much is going on a d sometimes we as christians get discouraged. So important to stay focused on God and the things of God. Again a good word and I’m going to share to my page.
Shirley I so agree that God’s Word is truth. Trials and test will come but we have to count it all joy, because if we know we have the victory in Jesus then we can know we have the victory as well. if we don’t go through then we will have no
testimony. We can not faint in times of trouble if we are doing what Dr Haire said asking, trusting, believing, & obeying. I believe God did not tell us these things for us to evaluate what he have told us to do because he can not lie and his word is true and will accomplish everything he sent it out do
I enjoyed this. The word said if you being evil give good gifts to your children how much more does your Heavenly Father given good gifts to them that ask Him. Your steps were to ask, listen, believe, obey. If we are hungry and need something from our parents and we have good parents, we know that we will get fed. For example, “Mom, I’m hungry. May I have some food.” You already know you’re going to get something to eat. You may not know when but you know it’s coming; so you sit back and list for a response. Mom respond by saying, “Yes, wait for a little while. Dinner will be ready shortly.” You already believe her words. So you sit back in obedience and wait. When the time comes, dinner is ready and you are fed. God wants us to trust in Him just as easily as we trust our earthly parents.
Thanks for the reminder of what our actions should be to this pandemic and to every situation with which we are faced. As Christian’s, our first step should always be to see God first. This sometimes doesn’t happen because of our humanness, we instinctively try to “fix” the problem or find solutions that may or may not have worked in the past. Dr. Haire has given the steps we should take: ask, listen, believe, obey, repeat. God is waiting on us/me to act! Let God respond and continue to guide us to victory!
Amen.
Thanks for the reminder of what our actions should be to this pandemic and to every situation with which we are faced. As Christian’s, our first step should always be to see God first. This sometimes doesn’t happen because of our humanness, we instinctively try to “fix” the problem or find solutions that may or may not have worked in the past. Dr. Haire has given the steps we should take: ask, listen, believe, obey, repeat. God is waiting on us/me to act! Let God respond and continue to guide us to victory!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. It is greatly appreciated.
Welcome.
Good Day Everyone!
This is a wonderful post. It reminded me that everything, including life, is a process. Step by Step-asking, listening, believing, and obeying indeed is a process. One of the most important things I see that James points out is the idea of not going back and forth in our thinking.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do”.
This is not the time to be second-guessing God. I am looking forward to graduating to the next level of faith/spirituality as Dr. Haire has pointed out.
Blessings
Lady LitRita, what wonderful insight. Keep trusting God and He will show you things you did not think possible.
Lady Litrita this a good blog. Our life and our walk with God is a process, but we sometimes want a microwave answer. We have to keep Our eyes on Jesus in every circumstance no matter what it is. I think sometimes we are like Peter we keep our eyes on things around and not on Jesus and become distracted that’s when we began to sink.Faith is so important because without it we can not please God.
Late reading the blog but it was an on time word for such a time as this. One of my daily prayer is asking God for wisdom especially in areas of my shortcomings. The simplicity of your step by step makes me even more aware that it’s more than just praying but praising God for the answer then applying the answer once it is given. And I am more than happy to repeat these steps whether the need arises or not. Dr. Haire you have always been a great teacher, preacher, and woman of God and no doubt an inspiration to many people, God bless you and keep you during this pandemic. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Linda Felton, thank you for joining the conversation. You are right, we must be willing to REPEAT the steps. Not get the victory once and then revert to back to our own human thinking.
Thank you for reminding us what is important and to stay focused on the word. A refreshing and an inspiring word. Thank you
Cynthia, thank you for joining the conversation.
God word is always new and refreshing. We can read it over and over again and each time you read it, there is a new revelation. I thankful to know that the word of God works
Me too, Arletha. I need and love the Word of God. It is my guide for living.
I am so glad you encouraged me to go back and read the blog. Especially this one. I love how you make the word of God so simple to understand and embrace. Thank you mom.