Last weekend was tough with news of growing Pandemic numbers, increased security and safety measures and an extended provincial lock down.

So how are you? Really?

When I was asked that question recently I wasn’t quite sure how to answer.

Some moments are fine, other moments are great and then there are moments when I feel sad, lonely, anxious and scared — followed almost immediately by pangs of guilt because really I have nothing to complain about. The emotions run the gambit and often all in a span of a few minutes. It almost feels like I am going around in circles.

Can anyone else relate?

My feelings, in this midst of the chaos of this world, can be all over the place, but I am comforted by the Word of God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Really, to "lean not on your own understanding” is to lean completely into the strong arms of God. It doesn’t mean that we are not to be critical thinkers. There are no walls of separation between our intellect and faith, in the Bible. When we are told to lean not on “our own understanding”, it refers to the conclusions based primarily on our own perceptions. And respectfully, our own understanding simply will not bear the full weight of what was, what is and what could be.

In order to lean there has to be a shift from that comfortable and stable upright position. And this is the same with God, we must let go of that seemingly reliable thing we are trusting (what we think, how we feel) and lean back on God. That is when our faith becomes active and God can work.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)

When we lean, not on our own understand but when we lean into God, we will still experience the chaos of the world, but we don’t do it alone.

When we lean into God, instead of going in circles, God will make our paths straight.

When we lean into God, there is a renewed strength.

When we lean into God there is renewed focus and clarity.

When we lean into God, there is hope.