Life is like a roller coaster moving towards hilly and sloppy curves that is so nauseous where we can feel the whirling sensation in our head with a tendency to fall at any moment in our life’s journey—but no matter how difficult the struggles we are experiencing, as long as we are holding tightly to our living and ever loving God everything will be alright in God’s perfect time.
As an overseas Filipino worker we deal with lots of pain. We are handling different challenges, trials and concerns not only for ourselves and immediate family but also to our extended families back home, whom we value so much. Even some of their daily necessities rely on us. Our struggles and sufferings became heavier when Covid-19 pandemic made vigorous attack throughout the world that every one is worried that they might get infected. We feel really uncertain about our future and we still have many “what ifs” that has not been settled yet. What if I’ll get infected, with Covid and become sick, will I survive? What if my loved ones back home get infected? Do I have a chance to be with them? What if my employer gets infected? Am I safe from the virus? These are just some of our fears and anxieties we are continuously facing. We are sure that God is our comfort, but still we may feel so worried when we hear that one of our loved ones get infected and is suffering from the disease.
Upon knowing that two of my siblings tested Covid-19 positive, I was very much afraid. However, it drew me closer to God more and more. I trust that everything is in his mercy for he is the one that controls everything—all the time. Since I could do nothing about the situation, I offered all my worries in God’s feet and believe in his words and in his love. I totally surrendered and leaned unto him. I trust God’s words in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Looking at the empty seats in the church, listening to my friends’ agony and the eagerness to see and tightly hug their children—it really saddened me and I can feel their sufferings and pains for they cannot take a vacation to be with their families. I have the same feeling. All I can do is to pray for them to ease their distress and remind myself to be calm as well.
This pandemic has helped me to understand more about life. I realised that worries won’t change anything, that only God knows what is best in life ahead of us. All we can do is to seek the kingdom of God and let him be the centre of our lives, the compass of our life’s journey so we will not be blinded from erroneous information and ideas.
I encourage everyone to glorify our living God in our daily lives and let us increase our faith and trust in his words more deeply for he is our all time refuge
Lord, dear merciful Father, please heal our land and end this pandemic.
We also pray for those who lost their lives in the pandemic and for the repose of their soul. Let us pray with a humble heart.
Marissa Panto
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
