This year is very special, and countless people would like to start the year all over again.
As of today, official media has reported that the number of deaths in the United States due to the pandemic has exceeded 100,000, and there are also a lot of people in other countries that have been affected. Numerous families have been destroyed, and economies have encountered varying degrees of shock. Countless people have been unemployed. This year has been very difficult, and has left a deep impression.
I have experienced this pandemic, but I am still alive. It seems to be an ordinary thing for those who are alive, but this is not the case for those who have passed away. At least I can breathe the fresh air and experience historical changes.
During my life I have experienced SARS and the Wenchuan earthquake. I used to think that these were very large disasters, however, now we have the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared with these natural disasters, my life is extremely small. I am lucky to survive.
I remember that during Spring Festival, looking at the news reports and the constantly updated number of patients, I was frightened. On New Year's Eve, a brother called me and asked: "Did the pastor we invited to preach come from Hubei?" We invited a pastor from there to come to our church before Spring Festival, so everyone panicked as soon as the news was announced.
Currently the pandemic in China has been controlled, but it is still spreading abroad. Our scars are gradually healing, but those in other places are still bleeding. How can we not be sad with them?
This year I have learned to cherish things. I gradually learned to cherish the people in front of me, to call my parents frequently, to watch the scenery on the roadside, and to take a deep breath of fresh air. I do this because I understand the fragility of life.
I also cherished the suffering I experienced, since this shows that I am still alive, and I have the opportunity to grow.
Having hope in God is the best source of strength. Most reasons for suffering are unreached goals and standards. We are always ambitious and desire peace and well-being in the world. But the Bible tells us that heaven and earth will pass away, and the Book of Revelation also shows us the future. The worst thing is to put out hope in something that is outside of Christ.
For the rest of life, I will not rely on idols, and only hope and wait for the kingdom of God. Maybe the way will not be safe and smooth, but I know that God has everything already planned.
The fear of disaster might haunt our hearts, and the fear of the future might not be receding, but dear brothers and sisters, don’t be afraid, God will be with us for the rest of our lives. Just like David said: " Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil.” And the wise man also said: " Have no fear of sudden disaster.” What brings us peace is not the absence of wind and waves, but the truth that God is always with us. Just as the disciples met the storm on the sea, and their hearts were filled with fear, restlessness, and despair, but when Jesus was with them, everything was no longer a problem.
Walking with God is the source of our strength, for all the guarantees of life are in him, and He is in charge of life. The Bible says: " Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. "
I have long been afraid of death because of the resurrected Jesus. I know the destination of my life.
How not to panic or to hesitate? How not to be timid or discouraged? To see the power of God's resurrection and the ability to transcend death. The reason why people feel anxious is that when they face the world they feel that they cannot solve their problems. But when people turn to God and rely on Him firmly, people are able to regain strength. As the Bible says: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."
This year, I became one of many survivors during the pandemic and I have written down my own thoughts. Even though the pandemic is still raging on the earth, and I don’t know what will happen in the future, I have always believed that God is sovereign.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
疫情后的感悟：劫后余生，更当与神同行
这一年很特殊，无数人想要将今年重启。
至今，官媒报道称美国因为疫情死亡的人数已经超过了10万人，其它各国受到疫情影响而死亡的人也不在少数。无数家庭因此受到创伤，各国经济都遇到不同程度的冲击，有数不清的人因此而失业......这一年很难，但这一年已经在人类历史上写下了浓重的一笔。
我赶上了这次疫情，至今我还活着，对于活着的人来说我好像依然很普通，但对于逝去的人来说我却是极其幸运的，因为我还可以呼吸着新鲜空气，感悟着历史变迁。
长这么大，我赶上了非典，也遇上过汶川地震，我曾经以为那已经是非常大的灾难，没想到如今又遇上新冠病毒。在这些天灾面前我显得无比的渺小我只能说自己是幸运的。这一年，我劫后余生。
记得春节期间，看着新闻的报道和不断更新的患者数字，心中有太多的惊吓。大年三十的白天，有个弟兄给我打电话问：“当时咱们请来做见证的牧师是不是来自湖北......”。如他所说，春节前我们确实请了那边的牧师来证道，因为当时不知道情况，但新闻一公布大家就都慌了。
时至今日，国内的疫情大体上已经平稳，而国外依然在持续。也许我们的伤痕正渐渐结痂，他们的伤痕还正在流血，岂能不与君同悲呢？
这一年我学会了珍惜。我渐渐明白珍惜眼前人，学会经常给父母打电话；也学会观看路边的风景，深深的呼吸一口新鲜空气......不是因为越来越爱惜肉体，而是因为越来越明白生命的脆弱。
时至今日，我也珍惜上帝在我生命中摆设的苦难，因为这些苦难的存在让我知道我还活着，我还有机会去成长.
对神存留盼望是得力的最佳秘诀，人痛苦的绝大部分原因是因为目标和标准错了，总想在世界里完成宏大的梦想，想着靠世界达到平顺安康。但圣经告诉我们，世界终将过去。并且启示录中也让我们看见未来的情况，所以人最悲哀的事情，就是将盼望定睛在基督之外。
余生，不再依靠虚无的偶像，单单盼望和等候神国。也许这一路并不会平安顺利，但我却深知道自己归去的路径上帝早已预定。
灾难的恐惧或许还萦绕心头，对未来的惶恐也许迟迟没有退去，但亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，请不要怕，余生上帝必与我们同在。就像大卫说：“经历死荫的幽谷也不怕遭害”，智者也曾说：“忽然来的惊恐不要害怕”。使我们感到平安的并不是外在环境无风无浪，而是即使在风浪中上帝始终与我们同在，如同昔日门徒们在海面上遇见风暴一样，惶恐、不安、绝望充满他们的内心，但当耶稣与他们同在时，一切都不再是问题。
与神同行是我们得力量的秘诀，因为生命所有的保障全都在他里面，并且他掌管着生命。圣经曾说：“儿女既同有血肉之体，他也照样亲自成了血肉之体，特要藉着死，败坏那掌死权的，就是魔鬼，并要释放那些一生因怕死而为奴仆的人。”
因为复活的耶稣我早已不畏死亡，因为我深知道自己生命的归宿在哪里。
如何不惊慌、不彷徨？如何不胆怯、不灰心？乃是要看见上帝复活的大能与超越一切的能力。人之所以看到环境会产生焦虑，是因为在环境中人的手没有办法解决现实问题，但当人转向神、坚定依靠神时，也就是人重新得力的时候，因为圣经说：“等候耶和华的必重新得力”。
这一年，我劫后余生，成为众多幸存者之一，写下我自己的想法。此刻疫情依然在地球上肆虐，未来也不知道会发生什么，但无论怎样我始终相信神在人的国中掌权。
This year is very special, and countless people would like to start the year all over again.
As of today, official media has reported that the number of deaths in the United States due to the pandemic has exceeded 100,000, and there are also a lot of people in other countries that have been affected. Numerous families have been destroyed, and economies have encountered varying degrees of shock. Countless people have been unemployed. This year has been very difficult, and has left a deep impression.
I have experienced this pandemic, but I am still alive. It seems to be an ordinary thing for those who are alive, but this is not the case for those who have passed away. At least I can breathe the fresh air and experience historical changes.
During my life I have experienced SARS and the Wenchuan earthquake. I used to think that these were very large disasters, however, now we have the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared with these natural disasters, my life is extremely small. I am lucky to survive.
I remember that during Spring Festival, looking at the news reports and the constantly updated number of patients, I was frightened. On New Year's Eve, a brother called me and asked: "Did the pastor we invited to preach come from Hubei?" We invited a pastor from there to come to our church before Spring Festival, so everyone panicked as soon as the news was announced.
Currently the pandemic in China has been controlled, but it is still spreading abroad. Our scars are gradually healing, but those in other places are still bleeding. How can we not be sad with them?
This year I have learned to cherish things. I gradually learned to cherish the people in front of me, to call my parents frequently, to watch the scenery on the roadside, and to take a deep breath of fresh air. I do this because I understand the fragility of life.
I also cherished the suffering I experienced, since this shows that I am still alive, and I have the opportunity to grow.
Having hope in God is the best source of strength. Most reasons for suffering are unreached goals and standards. We are always ambitious and desire peace and well-being in the world. But the Bible tells us that heaven and earth will pass away, and the Book of Revelation also shows us the future. The worst thing is to put out hope in something that is outside of Christ.
For the rest of life, I will not rely on idols, and only hope and wait for the kingdom of God. Maybe the way will not be safe and smooth, but I know that God has everything already planned.
The fear of disaster might haunt our hearts, and the fear of the future might not be receding, but dear brothers and sisters, don’t be afraid, God will be with us for the rest of our lives. Just like David said: " Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil.” And the wise man also said: " Have no fear of sudden disaster.” What brings us peace is not the absence of wind and waves, but the truth that God is always with us. Just as the disciples met the storm on the sea, and their hearts were filled with fear, restlessness, and despair, but when Jesus was with them, everything was no longer a problem.
Walking with God is the source of our strength, for all the guarantees of life are in him, and He is in charge of life. The Bible says: " Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. "
I have long been afraid of death because of the resurrected Jesus. I know the destination of my life.
How not to panic or to hesitate? How not to be timid or discouraged? To see the power of God's resurrection and the ability to transcend death. The reason why people feel anxious is that when they face the world they feel that they cannot solve their problems. But when people turn to God and rely on Him firmly, people are able to regain strength. As the Bible says: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."
This year, I became one of many survivors during the pandemic and I have written down my own thoughts. Even though the pandemic is still raging on the earth, and I don’t know what will happen in the future, I have always believed that God is sovereign.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
Reflection after COVID-19 Pandemic: Walk with God for My Rest of Life
