Special Eight-Week Series:
Calm in the Storm
Navigating rough waters in faith
Week 2: Love One Another Through Difficult Times
by, Laxmi Gurung, Refugee Kids & Youth Coordinator
My family moved to Pennsylvania in January 2020. I’m really close to them and we have always lived together. The sudden move was difficult for me. I didn’t like being without them but it was also helping me to grow as an independent 21 year-old. I began learning to do a lot of things on my own and making my own decisions. After my family moved, I wanted to visit them during my spring break where I get a week off from school and work. It was a perfect time for me to go see my family so I booked my ticket. But things changed quickly, and I couldn’t decide what to do.
I was frustrated because I didn't want to miss this chance to be with my loved ones and I also didn't want to risk their life because of my one decision to travel at this time. I kept going back and forth thinking about what I should do. I prayed a lot about it, asking God to help me make the right decision. I also asked some of my close friends for advice. Some told me to stay and some told me that I will be fine. As the flight day came closer and closer, I started feeling panicked and nervous. I kept reading and watching the news which only made me feel more scared and didn't help me at all. At this moment all I could do was continue to pray and get closer to God because He knows everything better than anyone.
As a believer, there have been some times that I haven’t been so faithful and try to take control of the situation, but I couldn't do that now. Whatever was happening was not in my control and I had to trust God fully and believe that He was in control and he would protect me. The Bible verse that helped me during this time was:
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
After I kept praying to God and listening to Him, I felt He had given me strength. All the anxiety I had felt started to fade away. I talked to God and asked Him to protect me during my flight and allow me to see my family. I flew and arrived in Pennsylvania on March 16. I followed all the procedures to stay safe like frequently washing my hands, using hand sanitizer, etc. I also asked my dad to just come by himself to pick me up from the airport and prepare a room for me to stay in quarantine for a week. Now it has been more than two weeks and my family members and I are healthy. I really believe that His grace has kept us all safe. Now that I'm with my family, I'm staying right where I am and waiting until it is safe to travel again.
Even though I'm far away during this time, I'm finding that technology has allowed me to continue to stay connected with the youth and volunteers I lead. Each week we've been connecting on a video call to continue sharing and studying together. Who would have guessed that a time of such difficulty could still bring ministry fruit? Trusting Him gives me the most relieving feeling that unfortunately not everyone can feel at this moment. I pray that through these difficult times everyone that doesn’t know Him, including my family would get to know Him. He is the only hope that we have left. As believers, we all need to unite as one and help each other because we all are in this together. We need to pray for other people that don't have homes, families, food, jobs, and those that are suffering in hospitals. Let's keep everyone in our prayers and actually do something to show the love of Christ. This is the time for Christians to shine by helping others. We know that our God is bigger than this and He's always there for us. Let's not create this difficult time harder by panicking but instead praying more and trusting in God with all your heart.
Honestly, I have never felt closer to Him as I do now. This time has been helping me a lot to reflect on things that I have neglected before. I started to appreciate the little things and enjoy the relationships I have with others around me. I pray and hope that all people will feel the same way. And when everything ends, we can all come together as one and love one another as He loves us.
