“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fail to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
Serious news has shaken our world; this is an understatement!
Events seem to progress so fast, it does not even give us room to think. Unnerving uncertainty is everywhere. How have these developments affected you? Has it impacted your employment; isolated you from most of your loved ones; caused you to find new ways of doing the routine you used to have; or has it caused you to rethink your priorities?
With everything going on, stress is imminent or is gripping us now. How do we handle the challenges we are facing today? How can we be confident amidst uncertainty? How do we lower our anxiety levels? Can we still find good in all these?
It puzzled me when my college Psychology professor told my class that good news produces stress. Bad news, yeah, but positive news? Come on, who would have ever thought? How can receiving good news produce stress?
Stress induces a feeling of emotional or bodily discomfort. Upon reflection, I agree, good news can be stressful, too. What do you think? Defined as a positive form of stress by the Webster dictionary, eustress has beneficial effects on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being.
I remember my excitement as I planned our first trip to Europe where we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. I perused through countless sites trying to find the best deals on flights and the perfect hotels. I even joined a travel forum so I could pick the brains of seasoned travelers. Finally, after months of research and waiting, the day arrived for me to complete our plans. My finger kept vacillating from one selection to the other as it prepared to tap the “select” and “book” buttons. With a click, it was done! I booked our flights, trains, and hotels. As I sat down to figure out our daily schedule, I felt the tension on my shoulders. I remember asking myself, “Did I make the right decision?” A discomfort. An uncertainty. Was this eustress?
I imagine Zechariah and Mary also felt this way during the angel, Gabriel’s delivery of divine news. Gabriel told Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth would be pregnant. Several months later, Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of the Most High.
Two different people — similar favorable news. Both initially reacted in fear, a natural first response. Gabriel reassures Zechariah and Mary and tells them, “Do not be afraid.” Both received the news and, after the initial shock, looked at the realities of their situations and questioned Gabriel. Zechariah asks, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:18, ESV). Mary asks, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34, ESV).
This is where their similarities ended.
When something is unfamiliar, it unsettles us. It is normal to respond in fear and ask questions when we face the unknown—even when the news is good. God in His goodness allows us to ask Him questions. James 1:5-6, tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (ESV)
This is where Zechariah and Mary’s difference commenced.
Zechariah questioned, doubted, and asked for a sign. In the uncertainty, he wanted reassurance that God would give them a child even in their senior years. Gabriel’s response left Zechariah speechless, literally unable to speak until their son John was born. Glory and praise to God are not fruits that can come from the tree of doubt.
Mary questioned and trusted. Her confidence was in the God of impossibilities. Though she could not see into her future, she did not doubt God. Instead, she humbled herself and offered to have God do with her what He wanted to do. She did not require a sign to strengthen her faith, but Gabriel gave her one.
The news of this pestilence is not the good news we would like to have but for now, it is our reality. How do we respond to it? Do we look at our frailties and inadequacies, or should we focus instead on our God who can accomplish the impossible, the promises He has given us, and His faithfulness?
We ask for God’s wisdom as we grapple with questions facing us, but like Mary, we cannot let doubt erode our faith. When our confidence is in God, we are like trees planted by the very source of its nutrients and life. Even in times of drought, even in times of shelters in place, when we know we are near the wellspring of life, we will not merely survive, but thrive and bear fruit!
God has already given us our sign—Jesus’ death and resurrection on that first Easter morning. He is victorious and has secured our victory. Though limited in what we can do, we have a limitless God who achieves things beyond our imagination.
As we celebrate Easter, we might have to do things differently. Our church services may still be online, we will probably not be gathering with our loved ones to get together and share a meal. But God’s reality stays—our Savior died and rose again!
Let our confidence be in Him and let our fruit of faith bring Him glory. The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Am I planted by the water?”