As 2020 ended, we weren’t prepared for the ice storm that 2021 brought us. As I look outside, there is a beauty in the landscape. Branches of trees encased in ice, a blanket of snow resting on each branch. The weight of the ice lowering the branches downward. It’s a Picture that should be on a Christmas card. I see many posting pictures of the beauty they see, others posting pictures of the damage they see. As I began to pray, looking in the natural of all that is outside of my window. I see that some tree branches have fallen off due to the weight of the freezing ice. I look and other trees are standing, some just bending with the weight, I see others standing tall and hardly effected by the heaviness.
2020 was a really tough year for many. As a nation, many were frustrated, many marched in protests, cities were burned to the ground. Divisiveness was displayed on TV and social media like never before. COVID-19 was loosed in the atmosphere causing sickness and death to so many friends and family. Churches and businesses closed, because of mandates from our governors. We become a faceless society. Masks covering our faces, our identities hidden. Statistics say depression and suicide is at an all time high, because of the isolation. I feel that 2020 was the year that fear came in much like this ice storm. The majority of Americans will admit that we are glad to see 2020 expire. God began to show the me that the branches that fell on the ground, had a weakness in them. So many people have became afraid and allowed fear and the unknown to weigh them down. The weak branches didn’t have the strength to withstand the weight of the ice storm that gripped it. We all go through seasons, we all face adversity and disappointments. Many things happen that we have no control over. Let me encourage you for 2021, let this be the year of fearlessness! Be bold! Stand strong in the midst of adversity.
Don’t become a person who is faceless, but become fearless, don’t hide who you are. God is powerful, He is faithful, He is a God of the miraculous. What elements are coming at you to weigh you down? The enemy wants this season to break you but God wants to be the one to bring breakthrough! God is your strength, stand strong knowing He is in control. He has a plan and destiny for your life. Remain planted and strong in who He is, He is for you.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, so we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things are unseen are eternal.
A weight that brings brokenness, to seeing a weight that brings forth God’s Glory speaks to me. When we allow His Glory to rest upon us, it isn’t a heaviness, it is a covering that rests upon us. Like the visual of a small blanket of snow resting on the ice. We remain strong and unaffected because of His Glory in us and on us. We many not know what 2021 will bring us. But we know that it is momentary, I know I am stronger now than I was in 2020. My faith in Him holds no boundaries. My hope and trust is in the God who has always been faithful, and has walked with me every day of 2020. I know God loves you and He will always be with you and me everyday in 2021. Be Bold, Be Fearless and Believe in the Power of an Almighty God who lives and dwells within you! Look outside and see a different perspective, as the ice wraps around each branch of the tree, He is covering you with the weight of His love and Glory.