Minneopa State Park near Mankato.

By Tom Shanklin

I’m usually pretty level, but when I woke up this morning I found myself frustrated and angry inside. I want life to get back to normal. I want to get out and preach. I want to be free to go and do and pursue life. We are under a Stay-at-Home order here in Minnesota, as is much of the nation, because of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

All of us are facing fears and frustrations, some worse the others. Some are facing the loss of loved ones. Some cannot even be with dying loved ones to comfort them in their final hours. Even funerals are restricted, because of fear of the spread of the disease. Health care workers are the soldiers on the front lines of this battle, putting their lives on the line for others. Some in our nation and around the world are facing hunger.

How about you? Are you frustrated with government officials? With the news media? Are you facing fears concerning your own wellbeing, or your family. Is your financial future in jeopardy? Do you have a bad case of the social media blues? Frustration is a symptom of the current circumstance. The circumstance may not immediately change, but the good news is that we do not need to stay in that place of frustration and discouragement.

There is a place in God where you can find rest and peace. As the Scripture says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “[He is] my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”” (Psalm 91:1-2 NKJV)

Many of us are leaning into the promises of Psalm 91, but we need to remember that all these wonderful promises are for he (or she) who dwells in the secret place. It is essential that we learn to come into the secret place of the Most High. Only then can we abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The Coronavirus is a physical attack, but some of the greatest challenges that we are facing are attacks upon our spirit, mind and emotions. We need to spiritually shelter-in-place in order to survive these attacks. We must find that place of peace in God. Jesus said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:18 KJV) Comfort has been provided, but we must receive it. I believe that the time that we spend alone with God is what will sustain us in this hour.

Today, I found my way into the secret place, and I want to encourage you. You can come into that place where there is calm in the midst of the storm. Here are some steps to get you there:

1. Make peace with God. You may be dealing with multiple layers of frustration with people or circumstances right now, but on the deepest level you may be dealing with vexation and disappointment with yourself … or with God. There is only one solution to this. You must acknowledge the areas where you are out of sorts with God in your attitudes and actions, and turn back to Him. Let Him know that your life is in His hands, and that you need His forgiveness and healing.
2. Receive forgiveness. Jesus shed His blood on the cross so that you could have forgiveness and healing. You do not need to earn that forgiveness. You only need to receive it by faith. Choose to believe in what Jesus did for you. Believe that He is alive and you are forgiven. He will give you a new beginning!
3. Come into His presence. Because of Jesus’ death and His shed blood, you can come into the presence of Father God without fear or condemnation. You can experience the reality of His presence and talk to Him from your heart. Let Him know that you love Him and trust Him and that He is your place of protection.
4. Give thanks and praise. It is easy to praise and thank the Lord in good times, but in hard times we must learn to bring the “sacrifice of praise.” We can put on the garment of praise which will break the spirit of heaviness. Praise Him with all of your heart!
5. Worship the Lord. Worship is different from praise. Praise is bragging on God. There is great power in praising God. Worship, however, is more intimate and personal. It is loving the Lord with your lips and your heart. Pull aside and spend time alone with God, worshipping Him. Worship Him in spirit and truth. Worship Him in song. Worship Him in unknown tongues. Let your heart flow out to God in a fresh way. Then you will receive the refreshing of the Holy Spirit upon your life.
6. Listen to His voice. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and the voice of a stranger they will not follow. (John 10:5 & 27) You can hear His voice. You don’t have to listen to the voice of the enemy who is trying to pull us down into a pit of dispair. But in order to hear His voice clearly we must spend time reading, studying, and meditating God’s Word. There is no substitute. By getting into God’s Word, our ears are tuned to His frequency, and we will know what He is saying.
7. Put your faith into action. In other words, put what you are hearing from God into practice. It may be just spending time sitting at His feet. It may be direction or correction concerning your speech or actions. It may be reaching out to a loved one or friend. It may be instruction concerning your health or finances or relationships. But whatever it is, following His direction will always bear good fruit.

God has reserved a place for you under the shadow of His wings. Pull aside, and come into the secret place of the Most High, and find comfort and peace in His presence. God bless you!