We live in difficult times. We share a world that feels like it has been shrunk by uncertainty, challenges and tribulations so that everyone seems to be in the same boat.

Regardless of whether one lives on the remote shores of Samoa in the middle of the open Pacific Ocean or in one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the world, it is undeniable we all share the same fear and trepidations about what is happening around us.   

While the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic that has already killed 102,645 people at the time of writing is the most common denominator behind these fears, it is not the only factor. The pandemic has perhaps provided the trigger and an explosive dynamic to a stew of problems the world was already grappling with economically, socially and on the health front.

The truth is that each and every one of us has a battle to fight. We all have our fears, insecurities and hard times. Not one person will escape this reality.

It doesn’t matter whether you are the King, Head of State, Prime Minister or whatever position of responsibility and power you occupy. It doesn’t matter if you are old or young, rich or poor. Speaking of which, quite often people talk about the lack of money, material wealth being a problem and rightly so. Poverty and lack are unenviable and we see this in Samoa and some other places in the world today.

But has anyone ever stopped to consider the problems faced by people who have a lot of money and material wealth? Yes they go through their fair share.

The point is that no one is immune. Everyone faces problems and at this very moment in the world today, the conditions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic have only heightened the anxiety. If we are honest with ourselves, sometimes those problems can be so overwhelming we just want to break down and cry.

The only consolation is that we are all in the same boat, fighting these tough times together and as long as we don’t give up, this too shall pass. In life, problems always come before the blessings but this means we must endure and persevere.

Today, let’s talk about hope. If there is one thing Samoa and the world sorely needs right now amidst all the uncertainties, calamities and suffering, it’s hope. Hope for solutions, cure and answers to the countless questions we have.

Nothing personifies that more distinctively than the commemoration of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, commonly referred to as the Easter Weekend. As a nation of Christians, the story is well told.

On this day many years ago, Jesus Christ the Messiah rose again from the dead. But why did he need to die? Why the Son of God?

The scriptures tell us that “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” In other words, in what was an imperfect world, Jesus Christ was made to pay the price to redeem all so that whoever believed in his resurrection and is bold enough to confess it, there is hope and life eternal. That in a nutshell is the message of Easter. It is about the ultimate sacrifice, love of God the father to a world that was dying and hopeless.

Now think of what’s happening today. Is there hopelessness around us? Of course there is. There is fear, sadness, sorrow, uncertainty, panic and the list goes on.

But let’s not be discouraged and dismayed. Let’s not allow fear and hysteria to dictate how we live our lives. Jesus Christ died and rose again so we can have life and life more abundantly.

Through the eyes of our faith, let’s take heart in the message of hope that Jesus Christ is alive. The Bible defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Yes, what we see today is bad. Yes, everything points to suffering and pain. Yes the coronavirus looks like it’s going to be around for a while. Yes the climate for business is bad. Yes the health of our nation, economic prospects are under threat. Yes my finances are bad. Yes my marriage, relationships are under threat. My children are rebelling; the world seems to be against me and you can add anything to the list.

But through our eyes of faith, and as Christians, we are graced to persevere and forbear, no matter what. In the words of Steven Furtick, “it is what it is but it is not what it seems.” This too shall pass. 

Through the lens of faith, the fact we are alive, and that Samoa still has no coronavirus case as of today, let’s learn to be appreciative and grateful of what we have. Let’s acknowledge all the hard work being done by everyone, especially the health workers at the forefront of the coronavirus pandemic response.

It is well with my soul.

Have a restful resurrection Sunday Samoa, stay safe and God bless!