Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, – Psalm 1:1 (NIV)

I remember a time in my life when my faith was really shaken. My grandma passed away when I was 14 and it felt like my world was crashing down around me. I began to question God and wonder if everything the Bible taught was even true.

It’s easy when something big and bad happens in your life to begin to question your faith. For most of us, COVID-19 has been one of those times in our lives. It’s big and it’s bad and it might be causing you to question your faith.

Here’s the truth. Bad things will happen. COVID-19 is no exception. But where do you turn when bad things come your way?

If you want to be blessed and content in life, like today’s verse, describes, you’ve got to choose to follow God’s word. You can’t let what seems good, feels good or what other people say determine your contentment. Instead, you’ve got to look to God to be your source of peace in these times.

If you’re going to stay steady in your faith, you’ve got to be so planted in your relationship with God that nothing sways you.

So today, take a quick check. Have you allowed your circumstances to dictate your happiness? Have you allowed the voices of other people to become louder than God’s voice in your life? If so, determine to change. Choose to follow after God. Let Him and His word be your contentment and peace.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4 (NIV)

The last few weeks and even months have felt like a trial for most of us. Many of us have had our lives uprooted due to COVID-19, fears of sickness, or fears of not enough. It’s times like these that really test our faith.

It’s the trial that reveals what we truly believe.

Tests are important. They are indicators of your development. At your school, they often administer tests. Those tests show your teachers how you’re doing and what you’ve learned so far. They also help you know about any areas you need to study more.

The trials in life are no different. They’re simply tests, showing us what we believe and where we’ve put our trust.

Today’s Challenge: Will you remain planted in God in the midst of trials?

The trials we’re facing look different for each of us. Some fear sickness, others missing school, still, others struggle with all this family time.

The thing is, the trial is a test. It shows you the areas you’re weak and areas you need to study God’s word more. So today ask yourself: where is your foundation? Is it in yourself? Is it in others? Or do you find your foundation in God?

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. – Psalm 37:25 (NLT)

Times like these can really cause you to question your faith. You might feel mad at God because you aren’t able to see your friends. Perhaps you see everyone fighting to get groceries and feel like everything is not right in the world.

When we go through difficult seasons in our lives, it can easily cause us to question the goodness of God. With people being scared, sick and dying, those feelings are understandable.

Here’s the truth: God is good. Even in the midst of a storm, the goodness of God is there.

God has always protected and provided for His children. You’re not an exception. God will provide for you.

God is good. He loves you and He will help you get through these tough times. Stay close to Him. Read your Bible and pray. Use these times to draw close to God and get to know Him more. As you do, you’ll realize how great it is to serve such a good God.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Eph 4:32 (NIV)

If you’re stuck at home right now due to the Coronavirus, you’re probably getting a little sick of your siblings. Maybe your mom is driving you crazy and you honestly don’t know if you can take another day of it.

We get it! Dealing with family all under one roof for a long time can be a lot to deal with.

Today’s Bible verse tells us to be kind and compassionate and to forgive. That means forgiving your brother who just ate the last of the chips. That means being kind to your mom even when you want to yell at her.

Family relationships aren’t always easy. But Jesus challenges us to treat others with love and kindness.

So today, look for ways to help your family. Maybe you can help your mom by throwing in a load of laundry without being asked. Perhaps you can talk to your brother and find out if he’s scared about Coronavirus and you can share a Bible verse to help encourage him.

Ask God for His help too. He might show you a way you can help your family. Your kindness will go a long way to helping your family get through this scary time together!

no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. – Psalm 91:10 (NLT)

Fear. It’s so real. Especially when it seems like everyone is upset and panicking around you. The Coronavirus has gotten many of us afraid.

And it makes sense. It’s unknown and that makes it scary.

The thing is, however, that we have promises from God of protection. We know that God promises He will protect us and keep us safe. So even if we are faced with something unknown, we don’t have to panic. God will be right there with us, providing everything we need to get through it.

So if you’ve become fearful, determine today to get into God’s word. Read or listen to the things that God has promised you. As you do, it will build your faith.

Don’t live your life in fear. Look to God and know that you will come through it all ok.

Free Resource if you’re dealing with fear

Here’s a PDF Download we’re making free this week. Download it and encourage yourself in God’s Word.

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. – Luke 10:19 (NIV)

In today’s verse, Jesus gives us a promise: nothing will harm you. Isn’t that good news? Especially in a time when hand sanitizer is almost impossible to find?

In these uncertain and scary times, it’s good to know that Jesus promises us protection.

In Jesus, we are protected. Through Jesus we have power over the enemy.

That means in these scary and uncertain times we don’t have to be afraid. We can put our trust in Jesus. He will protect us and see us through.

Today, walk in faith. Trust God and know that He will see you through!

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. – Phil 4:12 (NIV)

Right now, your situation is probably less than perfect. If your school is canceled you might be missing your friends and wish you could get out to see them more. It’s likely that sporting events, band recitals, and dance classes are all canceled, leaving you feeling a little bored and isolated.

It can be hard to find contentment when nothing about life right now is normal.

However, in today’s verse, Paul tells us about contentment. He went through some pretty tough times. In the middle of them all, he found contentment in his relationship with Jesus.

You can do that too. Instead of being upset because of all the sporting events and friends you’ll miss, you can choose to practice being content.

Today, look for small ways to be happy. Be glad you’ve got some free time. Use it to watch YouTube videos and learn to play guitar. Perhaps spend some extra time reading your Bible. If you look for them, you can find ways to be content even in difficulty.

Choose to be like Paul, content in your relationship with Jesus no matter what is going on around you!

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” – Luke 24:36 (NIV)

Right now, it feels like our world is anything but peaceful. People are swarming stores and buying up supplies. Many people are fearful and wondering what to do and what will come next.

As Christians, however, we don’t have to live our lives in fear. Yes, there are scary things happening in the world around us, but in the midst of those, we can be at peace.

When Jesus told his disciples, “peace be with you”, it was at a time when the disciples felt scared and alone. Jesus had been crucified, and it felt like nothing was right in the world.

Just like the disciples, we can have peace when we’re afraid.

Today’s Truth: Jesus brings you peace when you’re afraid.

Yes, there are scary things going on in the world, but we don’t have to be afraid of them. We know that Jesus came to bring us peace. So today, if you’ve allowed fear to rule in your life determine to make adjustments.

Adjust what you’re reading and listening to. Instead of news, pick the Good News. Listen to or read verses in the Bible that deal with fear, and know, whatever comes, you don’t have to be afraid. God is right there with you!

Want some help in your battle against fear? Download: 5 Devotions to Defeat Fear

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Wow! If you’ve seen the news lately, you’ve seen that there is so much trouble going on right now in the world.

People are scared, they’re concerned for their health because of COVID-19, buying stores out of paper and canned goods. Many schools are closing and even some churches are cancelling for the safety of their congregants and students

No one would argue with the idea that there is trouble right now in the world.

Yet Jesus said in the middle of trouble we could have peace.

Today’s Truth: Jesus is peace when we’re surrounded by trouble. 

Even as crazy as things are right now in the world, we can choose to live in peace. We can choose to not let fear rule our lives. Why? Because we know that God is good. God will never leave us alone, and we don’t have to fear the trouble in the world. Jesus came to bring us peace.

So today, if you’ve allowed your heart to become afraid, spend some time in God’s word. As you do, you’ll find that it’s so much easier to be at peace when you know God is good and will always see you through.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, – Psalm 1:1 (NIV)

I had a group of friends for a while and they always encouraged me to do things that weren’t right. They were all pushing the boundaries and because of their influence, I ended up doing some things I was not proud of.

Today’s Truth: Who you walk with matters.

Your friends make a difference in your life. So honestly ask yourself, who’s opinion do you value? Do you care the most about what your friends think of you than anyone else? If your answer is yes, then you will do whatever it takes to keep those friends happy.

Many times this will mean that you end up compromising your beliefs in order to please your friends. In the long run, this is very unhealthy.

Instead, take a closer look at your priorities. When you make choices to value friends and their opinions over God’s, it will always bring you unhappiness in the end.

Choose to look to God. Make His voice the most important one in your life. That way you can walk in peace each day because you’re not compromising what you believe or who you are.

Yes, there might be some friends who walk away from you because of a decision like this. In the long run though, even though others may not get it, they will respect you for your beliefs.

If you’d like to follow along with this week’s devotions on friendship, you can download a PDF copy here.