“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

I am claustrophobic.  Not elevator claustrophobic, but MRI machine claustrophobic.  If I find myself restrained and unable to move or shift my position, I become anxious, especially in a closed environment like an MRI machine.  That feeling is awful.  This “hostage feeling” can happen to us physically.  We get that concept quickly.  However, it can happen to us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

COVID-19 likely has each of us feeling a bit like a hostage.  Twenty-four-hour a day news commentary, endless social media postings, and the empty shelves on the toilet paper aisle at the grocery store can all reinforce this feeling.

We must guard our heart, mind, and our spirit against being held hostage to any crisis.  Our first response must be to move our focus to the promises God has made to us as followers of Christ.  In Jeremiah 29, the prophet writes a letter to the hostages in Babylon.  His message is in contrast to other religious leaders of the time who insisted the crisis would soon pass.  Jeremiah stated plainly it would last seventy years.  However, he was quick to remind the captives of their expected end in Jeremiah 29:11.  Three truths emerge from this verse.

I. God is Our Hope

God said, “I am thinking about you.  Your peace and safety.”  There is great hope knowing God has not forgotten you but has you in his thoughts.  He is thinking about you today!  The God of Heaven and Earth has you on His mind today!

The human condition is to think that our present circumstances will never end.  We believe good times will never end.  We feel bad times will never conclude.  We often fail to understand life comes in seasons.  Seasons have a beginning and an end.  Seasons can and do repeat themselves.  Some seasons are more harsh than previous like seasons.  Seasons can be more gentle.  Sometimes a season can last longer than usual, and seasons can be shorter than expected. But, seasons come and go.  I assure you the season you are currently living in will pass regardless of it being pleasant and positive or dark and despairing.

Regardless of your season, God wants you to experience His hope!

II. God is Our Help

In his letter to the exiled Jewish captives, Jeremiah reminds them that God is there help.  In Psalms 46:1, God says this, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

Jeremiah reminds the captives of two essential activities of those who long for God’s help in the captivity.  First, he encourages prayer in Jeremiah 29:12.  Pray because God will hear you and answer.  Our first response to a crisis is prayer.  When we pray, God will answer.  Second, he encourages us to seek Him.  Jeremiah says, “search for God with all your heart.”  Are you seeking God amid your current season?  Jeremiah 29:14 states, “I will be found of you!” I love those words and the promise they contain!

Regardless of your season, God wants you to experience His help!

III. God is Our Happiness

A seminary professor told me, “Our attitude determines our altitude.”  At the time, I did not fully appreciate the power of those words, nor did I understand the control God gives His followers over their attitude.  Circumstance or other people should not be allowed to control our attitude.

One of the most potent things in maintaining a positive attitude is understanding that God has a purpose for every season of our lives and an “expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)  In other words, follow your God-given purpose!  As a Christ-follower, our over-arching aim is to serve the King!  In a crisis, it is easy to slip into selfishness (think about the toilet paper aisle during the COVID-19 turmoil).  However, God encourages us to behave selflessly. As we make others our focus, and we aim to encourage those around us, God gives us happiness and fulfillment in exchange.  God does not want us just to endure the season; He desires for us to live selflessly for His glory.

Regardless of your season, God wants you to experience His happiness!