Dear Someone,
I hope you find yourself in today’s letter you that is convinced that there is nothing harder than your present situation or circumstances.
I know so much has happened to everyone this year due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, it feels like we have all lived four years in one already.
It is for this very reason that I am writing you this letter to encourage you to be proud of how you have handled this year thus far. You probably must have fought so many silent battles or still fighting one in that lockdown.
Whatever the present moment contains and irrespective of how hellish things might have been for you during this challenging time, I want you to wipe your tears, pat yourself on the back and remind yourself that in this wilderness of life, God is there with you and for you (see Joshua 1:9).
Death, sicknesses, bad news, job losses and the fear of contracting Covid-19 might be attacking the whole world right now from all sides and capturing many by their painful chains. Don’t let your heart be troubled, speak to your soul instead and remind yourself that God is always good (see Isaiah 41:10).
If you’re reading this letter, hurting and not knowing what to say, do, where or who to run to, remember God, your Father. He is kind, good and merciful. He protects ordinary people, and when they are helpless, He saves them (see Psalms 116:1-19 CEV).
While there may be confusion everywhere, hopelessness among many and uncertainty on the lips of everyone, always remind yourself that the safest place to be at such a time as this is in the middle of God’s will. Remain faithful to Him in your confusion — He cares when the storm is raging. Remain hopeful irrespective of how the news around you makes you feel — God is there in your uncertainty.
In your confusion, don’t find yourself saying the wrong things. Don’t find yourself saying, “I can’t trust anyone!” Don’t find yourself saying, “Where is God now?” Don’t find yourself questioning why you are here on earth at such a time as this. Let go of those negative thoughts, embrace the positive thoughts of God’s Word instead and trust Him with your life, even if you don’t fully understand His plan.
In your confusion, don’t find yourself saying the year is gone and over. Don’t find yourself wondering if you’re going to survive the year. Your seasons are in His hands. Be comforted knowing that you are in the right place and right season at such a time as this.
Be comforted through this season of pain and confusion knowing that you are not deserted, not abandoned and not forsaken but completely covered by His everlasting arms of love (see Psalms 31:15). Be comforted knowing that God uses ordinary people, circumstances, and situations to change the world.
In your confusion, don’t find yourself saying, “What if I lost everything that I have worked and hoped for?” Be still instead and remind yourself that God doesn’t take us through seasons to hurt us, but to mature us. Remind yourself that with Him all things are possible, and with Him, there will definitely be an elevation when all this is over.
In your brokenness, in your anger, in your disappointment, in your confusion, in your emptiness, be quiet and know that all you need to do is trust and believe that everything will work out just fine. Rest peacefully in His arms knowing that He’s in control and that your peace of mind is your responsibility.
In your confusion, don’t find yourself saying you wished some nights lasted forever just because you have lost your job or a loved one. Don’t find yourself saying, “If only I had this or If only things were different”. God speaks from eternity into time, and He has spoken purpose and destiny over your life already, all for His Glory.
In your pain and in your confusion, don’t find yourself looking at what could’ve, would’ve or should’ve been in the past few weeks and months. God is not the author of confusion, but He can work in your confusion. Be happy in that blessed mess no matter how difficult it looks. Be happy knowing that God can restore to you the years, months and days you may have lost.
Rest and rejoice in the midst of this pandemic of Coronavirus knowing that your times and seasons are in His hands. Rest and rejoice knowing that we have a Father in Heaven with such grace, mercy, love, hope, and peace who gave His life for us.
Rest and rejoice knowing that in your confusion, He’s still God, and He’s there with you. In your tears, He’s still God and your comforter. In your fears, He’s still God and your peace. In your hurt, He’s still God and your healer. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (CEV) says, We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again”.
I want to say a big thank you to you and to those that reached out to me since I sent my last letter. Thank you for checking up on me and for your friendship during this challenging time. We will be back together, and stronger than ever.
Until tomorrow, hold onto His hand in that confusion, the year is not over yet! Accept it as if you had chosen it. Reach out to God knowing that this too shall pass. Reach out to Him knowing that where there is pain, there is healing. Where there is mourning, there is dancing. Where there is a pandemic, there is a rising. Where there is isolation or social distancing, there is grace. Where you are is where His Spirit is.
I pray for you and for everyone reading this letter, may God be near to you in your day and hour of trouble.
May God continue to surround you with health, protection, favour, wisdom and may His peace — a peace that surpasses human understanding — rest upon you and upon those, you love during this difficult time of uncertainty.
May God save your life from death, your eyes from tears, and your feet from stumbling (Psalms 116:8).
With love,
Ali Papa.
Be encouraged,
#IAmAlipapa.
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