Bible gives hope in time of trials and troubles like those caused by pandemic, by Rev. Dr. Hudson

Originally published by the Erie Times-News on May 2021

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (King James Version)

With the coming of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have felt the strain and crushing disappointment of pandemic fatigue.

We have marshaled our resources and hunkered down into a virtual world where communication with others is confined to a computer screen, cellphone or digital device. We have seen the mortal defeat of friends and loved ones who succumb to the stress of the illness and are transitioned from the state of temporal life to that of death. It is a true trial of deliberate frustration to be in a state of fear regarding the outcomes we can barely understand.

Yet the Holy Bible gives us hope; hope to maintain and continue for another day. We read where trials, tribulations, and doubts are all part of the human experience, and we can be transformed into something better through patience, care, and acts of personal courage.

Jesus Christ went through an unusual amount of pain so that we could gain a better outcome in this life and in the life to come (Isaiah 53:5). Our Easter celebration of his unselfish sacrifice on our behalf cemented our ability to overcome our obstacles to faith through an unyielding belief and trust that he would neither leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

In the face of all that COVID-19 brings, there is still a shining light at the end of the proverbial tunnel where we can rise above the circumstances of our condition and resume a transformed life different from that of before. Change can be difficult, however, we can have a peace that far exceeds our greatest expectations (John 14:27). Step out in faith,

and Christ will see you through.