For the last four months our lives have been greatly influenced by COVID-19 and the precautions taken in our province and around Canada to deal with it. In one way or another it has created more stress in our lives and in many ways has led to confusion and anxiety. Even though our province is moving to lighten the imposed physical and business limitations, we are still on edge about the possibility of a second wave which might be much more pronounced than the first.

In the midst of this stressful moment, how should followers of Jesus Christ respond? The Apostle Peter writes in his first letter in the Bible to Christians who in the first century were facing distressing times as well. He encourages them to develop a right perspective or focus in their lives in light of their faith which will make all of the difference in the way they behave. He challenges them to have a divine focus, to see God at work in the situation, to have an eternal focus, reminding themselves of what God has done and promised to do for them, and the resulting joy they can experience despite the present trials. Over the course of the history of the church since Peter wrote this letter, many examples of Christians modeling his instructions give us insight into the application of this focus.