When I Feel Like Hiding from the World -

When I Feel Like Hiding from the World

One hundred and twenty-eight days in, and I am weary of pandemic-living. It seems I have been hiding from the world all year, but this feels different.

It’s not just wearing a mask, social distancing, cabin fever, or missing my kids. I am also tired of the confusion, social unrest, news reports, and political climate. I said to my husband on the way to church, “I feel like I want to climb into a hole and hide.”

I love when the Holy Spirit hears my heart and knows just what I need to break me out of my funk.

One hundred and twenty-eight days in, and I am weary of pandemic-living and worldly chaos. Sometimes I feel like I want to hide from the world. Share on X

The sermon in Acts 5 centered around not living in fear. God’s call to live as salt and light in the world is clear. As a Jesus follower, we are the ones with hope. We are called to lift Jesus high even when we feel like everything around us is in the ditch. And even with the risk of consequences we can’t allow ourselves to hide from the world. When fear begins to drive us down into inactivity and obscurity, we need the filling of the Holy Spirit all the more.

When fear begins to drive us down into inactivity and obscurity, we need the filling of the Holy Spirit all the more. #BeSalt&Light #wearyandworn Share on X

We can’t be light on our own.

We can’t be salt in our own strength.

Instead of Hiding from the World – We Have A Promise of Help

That’s why Jesus left us with a promise, so that the Holy Spirit could come and indwell believers and our witness would be supercharged with His power. We can stand firm because of Christ. We can live victoriously. And there is no place for cowering in a hidey-hole when we claim to follow and serve the Living God.

There is no place for cowering in a hidey-hole when we claim to follow and serve the Living God. #OurGodIsGreater #StandStrong Share on X

Scripture says our salt and light will temper the world around us…

When the news looks ugly.

When violence seems to overtake.

When bullying pervades every venue.

When lies seem to cover truth.

When anger seeks action.

When politics divides.

When the future looks dim.

…But not when we are hiding from the world.

So my take away from the church service was that I need to put on the Armor of God and stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. No more hiding from the world.

Instead, I need to invite the Holy Spirit to fill me each day with everything I need to handle what’s coming. And, I need to trust that the God who created the world and sent His Son to rescue us from ourselves will bring His kingdom to those who are willing to receive it.

God Will Sort Truth and Lies, Good and Evil

And to those who thwart good and attempt to bring about their own agenda, God will attempt to call them to Himself. Those who lie and cheat to gain, He will continue to offer truth. Someday all will be brought into the light of God’s presence and seen for what it truly is. And until that day, God calls me to be faithful and not ashamed.

Someday all will be brought into #TheLight of #GodsPresence and seen for what it truly is. And until that day, God calls me to be faithful and not ashamed. Share on X

When I Am Tempted to Hide from the World

Micah 6:8 tells what is required of me:

To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.

In my everyday dealings with life’s junk, if I can act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him, I can trust Him to make all things right when it’s time. In the meantime, sin has a hold on the world but we are instrumental in spreading the news that Jesus came to break every chain that holds us captive.

We are instrumental in spreading the news that Jesus came to break every chain that holds us captive. #Witnesses #GodsAmbassador Share on X

When I feel overwhelmed and tempted to hide, I try these things:

Look Up and remember how much God loves me, and His faithfulness in the past

Talk to God (He can take it when I am honest with my feelings)

Get outside, take a walk, enjoy nature’s beauty

Visit with a friend (there is nothing like girl-time to boost my mood)

Read and ponder a meaningful scripture or devotional

Listen to praise music (and sing along)

Can you add to my list?

When I'm #FeelingOverwhelmed and tempted to hide, I try these things...Listen to praise music, Get outside...Can you add to my list? #BeFilledWithHisSpirit Share on X

We all need ways to live IN the world but not OF the world. And part of that is being connected to a community of believers. When I am tempted to hide from the world, the enemy cheers because isolation is one of his tools.

So we need each other! And we need to share how we combat these feelings, so be sure to add your thoughts in the comment section below.

Other Encouragement in my Email This Week

I read a devotional in a series from Moody Bible Institute called, Destructive Words, from Psalm 52. It highlights the fact that our words are powerful. They lift up or tear down. They tell truth or promote lies. It spoke to my feelings of being overwhelmed with the world right now. Here is an excerpt:

Words can do incredible damage. These destructive words come out of the heart of a person whose values are skewed. “You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth” (Psalm 52:3). ~ Today in the Word

It seems as though we are living in the days Isaiah spoke of when he said: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! ~ Isaiah 5:20

Fill up each day with the Living Word so that your light will shine in a dark world. #MakeDarknessFlee #LightofTheWorld Share on X

Jesus is THE hope we need but there are millions in the world who don’t know Him. And we are the ambassadors that God sends to make a difference around us. But we will never make an impact without the power of the Holy Spirit. So, fill up each day with the Living Word so that our light will shine in a dark world.

Is 2020 Driving You to Hide from the World?

How have you felt overwhelmed and tempted to hide from the world and the events we have experienced in 2020? I want you to know you are not alone. Please share your thoughts in the comments below and I would love to pray with you.

Stand firm in the Light of His Glory,

Jeanne

Want to listen to the church service and sermon I heard this week? You can slide the time right to the message at 17:45…

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When I Feel Like Hiding from the World

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