Retreat and planting

At the moment as we listen to news broadcasts where scientists and politicians are giving us guidance and information about this new corona virus it causes many of us to have anxiety and fear. Fear for me starts because there is so much uncertainty about the future. We can see all the things that usually surround us that we usually take for granted that provide comfort and security now being slowly stripped away. I have noticed this in particular this week that as I prayed I said to the Lord I feel totally helpless in a particularly difficult situation. I cried out to Him in prayer and he answered in an amazing tangible way. It was when I was at my weakest that God answered my prayers in such a swift and powerful way. At the moment many of us feel weak and helpless emotionally and physically. But God reminds us that we don’t have to rely on ourselves in 2 Corinthians 12:9 God comforts us when he says
  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest  on me. His mercies are new every morning
As we now all have to self-isolate we are now on an enforced retreat. Some of us are having to make the difficult decision to stay away from family and friends. It is so easy to feel irritated and frustrated. But the Psalmist reminds us. He says ‘You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance’. And as our loving heavenly Father he promises never to leave us or forsake us.