Reflecting on my experience during the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, I’ve come to understand the essence of having rich faith.
Like many, I faced significant challenges. The pandemic disrupted my plans, leading to the cancellation of my internship and postponement of my summer graduation. I suddenly found myself having to enroll for an additional semester and retake my graduate program exit exam—unforeseen hurdles that felt overwhelming.
I had already announced my graduation plans to family and friends and was excitedly preparing for a post-ceremony trip. All those plans, however, seemed to vanish overnight. While I knew the saying “delay is not denial,” each disappointing email and difficult phone call felt like a loud “DENIED.” This left me in a low place, despite my usual optimism.
This is where rich faith comes into play.
In my discouragement, I reached out to my support system—my prayer warriors and sisters of strong faith. They reminded me where to turn and who truly controls the details of my life.
Lamentations 3:21-23 states:
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassion never fails. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
These words have been a blessing in my life. I needed to be reminded of the source of my hope and not to be consumed by worries about graduating on time or finishing exams. The phrase “great is Your faithfulness” resonated deeply—I realized that God has brought me this far and would not leave me hopeless or lost. That’s simply not His character.
In low moments, I must remember the rich faith that has endured through time and trials. Let this be your reminder, too: “I am in my Father’s hands, no matter the circumstance. Great is Thy faithfulness.”
-Deborah Richelieu, LMFT