I had a weird experience yesterday in clearing my desk at work, as it looks like from next week I’ll be working from home. Unfortunately there will be those who will have had to clear their desk, locker for the last time, due to losing their jobs.

As each day passes it’s becoming clearer that for the foreseeable future our lives are going to be severely affected. And there is a high risk that some people will potentially ‘backslide’ in their walk with God, as the lure of constant social media posts will be a major distraction / temptation. Having school aged children at home needing attention will impact on parents spare time.

So how can we minimise the possibility of us backsliding in our walk with God, for starters I believe it will be important that we stay in contact with our close Christian friends. As a society we are blessed to some extent that we have multiple platforms where we can call, video chat for free. Our church will be hosting church services on Zoom, and we’re hoping to start a Bible study group up on Zoom. I would suggest that you find a local church who are active on social media during these challenging times.

What does the Bible say about persevering during troubling times, in Colossians 1:11-12 “¹¹ May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” [NRSV]. Here we find Paul telling that the Lord will give us strength through which we will be able endure life’s difficulties. The danger is we will become distracted, have our routines radically altered and may struggle to take time out to rest in His presence.

In James 1:12 “¹² Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” [NRSV]. In other Bible translations the word ‘temptation’ is changed to ‘trails’, and the Lord has promised us that by staying faithful to Him, persevering during our trails He will reward us. And we know that the Lord will keep His promise to us.

If our faith, the faith of our friends is to stay strong, churches, their congregations and ourselves are going to have to adapt from weekly communal gatherings to a more digital gathering, and being accountable to our friends and we will need to be strong and bold to question of our friends and ask if they are taking time to spend with God.

This coming week keep your friends, fellow church congregational members in your prayers and keep in contact with your close friends. And if over the next few weeks you find that your slowly backsliding in your faith, stop, call out His name for he will never forsake you.

All Bible verses and links have taken from http://www.biblegateway.com