Our world is under attack from things we cannot see,
A virus so named for its crown shaped spikes, and we have given it so much power – a tyrant king.

Ideas and judgments about fairness and justice lead to violence against each other.
Anger causes us to fall into traps and steals our peace, love, and joy.

We need empathy – walk a mile in my shoes . . ..
But what happens when my shoes and your shoes are equally misinformed, misguided, and limited in perspective?

We live in a state of Emotional Exhaustion.
We struggle continuously with plagues of mental health.

We have become slaves to our screens –
Prisoners in our own homes.

Resistance is futile is the silent message,
And we react according to our personalities – Fight, Flight, or Freeze.

Can we wait it out?  Some of us are out of time, out of money.
Can we ignore it?  We intoxicate ourselves with distractions. 
Can we fight an invisible enemy?  We are damaging so much in the trying!

Who could have imagined a worldwide pandemic would actually happen in our lifetime? 
Who could have imagined that we would lose so much? 

But the world has experienced tragedies before, and not that long ago.
We thought we learned, we thought we were above and beyond such disasters.

2021 has arrived, “We are coming in and sitting down quietly, not drawing too much attention to ourselves, and we do not expect too much from this year,” said someone wisely. 

Shall we keep our heads down and not expect too much from this new year? 
Maybe.  

But I know I don’t want to endure another long season of waiting for something to get better. 
Many things are not in our control.  So, how do we press on?

Lift up your head!

Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Psalm 121:2

The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life–whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1

Keep proper perspective!

A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 ISV

But seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Remember that you are loved and valued!

For God so loved the word that He gave His only begotten son, that all who believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

Know who is the real enemy!

For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.  Ephesians 6:12

Be thankful!

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. (CEV) 1 Thesalonians 5:18

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24