Keys to Building Faith During a Pandemic
First of all, if you’ve survived 2020 long enough to read this, congratulations! That is not by chance. You still have a purpose here, and these are a few keys to optimize living a life of purpose and building your faith even in the midst of a pandemic.
1. Use free time you may have to spend with God
At this point, much less of the world is in an extreme panic due to the pandemic. Most have shifted into a new normal of social distancing, not leaving the house without a mask and virtual events. Although many of us do not have vast voids of free time anymore, it’s still significantly safer to be at home than out and about. It can be easy to let free time just pass, whether through being consumed with social media or other usually unfruitful forms of entertainment. Using this extra time to spend with God can significantly strengthen our relationship with Him.
When we want to build relationships with the people around us, we do that by spending time with them, having conversations, and getting to know them. The same thing applies when it comes to getting to know God and His will for our lives. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says that if we’re willing to let Him in (our hearts, minds, situations, etc.) He will come in and spend time with us. He wants us to spend time with Him.
A lot of times, the lack of faith comes from fear. Fear can sometimes clog our spiritual ears and make us unable to hear directions the Lord may be trying to give us. In John 10:27, Jesus says He knows His sheep and His sheep know His voice, so when He speaks, they follow. How can we get to know His voice? Through communicating to Him and being receptive to what He has to say to us. He may respond through a thought, a song, scripture, or many other different ways. Ultimately spending more time with God is a way to remind our spirit that He is present and has a plan. Using free time to spend with God will build your faith.
Related scriptures: 1 John 5:14, Revelation 3:20, Jeremiah 29:13, Psalm 145:18
2. Look for ways to connect with other believers virtually
One of the most beautiful things I have seen during this pandemic is the innovative ways people have safely come together to uplift each other. People always find ways to come together during tough times, and this pandemic is not an exception. I have seen so many believers come together over the internet — connecting in zoom bible studies, faith-based group chats, virtual services, and more.
There are many scriptures about how God wants His children to come together, uplift each other, and enhance the kingdom through Him. 2 Chronicles 7:14 reads, “If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and heal their land.” This call to action addresses the body of believers as a whole. Not only can the coming together of believers change the world around us, but it can help us change and grow as individuals.
Connecting with other believers virtually also provides an exchange for stories and testimonies that can help everyone with their current situations. Hearing how God has moved in other people’s lives is a significant way our own faith can be built up. It reinforces that it is not impossible for God to change what we’re going through. It reinforces that even when we don’t see any good, God is working for us. If you can connect with other believers whether you meet on social media, join a virtual group from your local church/community, or have to start your own group, ultimately, connecting with other believers is imperative to building faith.
Related scriptures: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Hebrews 10:25, Matthew 18:20, Romans 12:4–5
3. Practice Gratitude
Yes, the pandemic brought its own issues that many of us have commonly shared. Whether it was losing a job, shifting to a virtual platform for schooling, missing out on special in-person events, getting sick, losing family members and more. Even with all of that, life has not stopped. We still have had our battles outside of the pandemic. This has caused many people to believe 2020 has been the worst year yet. Many have given up on the expectation for any good thing to come out of it. This does not have to be our truth. One of the best ways to step out of this mindset is through being intentional about practicing gratitude.
This is something I have spent the latter part of this year working on. Yes, we have gone through a lot, but the fact that we are still alive at this moment shows that God is not done with our stories. There is still hope for the future. We have to have faith that God is not going to let us go out sad. We need to cling to the things we HAVE been blessed with. A long time ago, I remember being asked if I woke up tomorrow with the things I thanked God for today, how much would I have? We tend to ignore simple things like having a bed or hot water that many people were going without before the pandemic. Being grateful for what God has given, will continue to build your faith in the fact that God will always make a way.
Related scriptures: Matthew 25:23, Colossians 2:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Romans 8:28
