Me:    Okay, God, here's the thing, I'm scared. I'm trying not to be, but I am.

GOD: I know. Want to talk about it?

Me:    Do we need to? I mean, you already know.

GOD: Let's talk about it anyway...we've done this before.

Me:    I know, I just feel like I should be bigger or stronger or something by now.

GOD: …trusting, faithful, waiting patiently with perseverance, undistracted, loving…

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8 ESV

Me:   Okay. So, I'm afraid I'll do everything I can to protect my family and it won't be enough. I’m afraid of the coronavirus and what it is doing to the world and what it could do to me and my loved ones. I'm afraid of someone I love dying. I'm afraid the world won't go back to what it was before. I'm afraid my life is always going to feel a little bit unsettled.

GOD: Anything else?

Me:    EVERYTHING ELSE.

GOD: Remember how one night your son woke up and came running down the hall to your bedroom?

Me:    Yes.

GOD: You were still awake, so when you heard him running, you started calling out to him before he even got to you... remember? Do you recall what you called out to him?

Me:     I said, "You're okay! You're okay! I'm here."

GOD:  Why did you call to him? Why didn't you just wait for him to get to your room?

Me:     Because I wanted him to know that I was awake, and I heard him, and he didn't have to be afraid in that dark hallway.

GOD: Exactly. I hear you, my child. I hear your thoughts racing like feet down the dark hallway. And, there's another side to all of this. I'm there already. I've seen the end of it. And I want you to know I'm right here as you walk through it all; you're okay. I haven't gone to sleep, and I won’t.

…Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NLT

Me:    (eyes moist with tears) Can we sit together awhile? Can we just sit here a minute before I go back to facing it all?

GOD: There's nothing I'd love more.

- Author Unknown

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Even when I walk through the darkest valley [dark hallway], I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NLT

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If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.

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