Faith Story by Susan Soong
18 March 2020…..I would never forget this day as this was the beginning of a lot of uncertainties.
I am Susan, residing in Kota Kinabalu and working in the Tourism Industry. On 16th March 2021, we were alerted that there would be a lockdown in conjunction with Covid-19, effective 18th March 2020. We got very busy rescheduling our passengers’ flights so that they could leave Malaysia before the lockdown. We also had to cancel bookings planned and organized in the upcoming weeks.
On 1st Apr 2020, it dawned on me that this was not an April’s Fool – I may lose my job. I had lots of uncertainties, anxieties, and worries, in terms of health and finances. Indeed, I was out of a job for April and May 2020, and was not sure what would happen next.
Since I had extra time, I started to spend it with God during my daily devotion. God spoke to me on a few occasions, especially through these verses :
The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
These were His promises that guided me during this season of uncertainty. Whenever negative thoughts came to my mind, I would immediately switch them to promises of God by declaring these verses aloud.
At the end of May 2020, I received a call that I could resume work from June 2020, but at a reduced hour (equivalent to an 80% pay cut). I was very grateful that I would still have a job even though there were uncertainties about when tourism would be allowed back. I was also grateful that I was offered another job – a part-time job with Alpha Malaysia – for a few months. Then, at the end of 2020, I received news that effective 1st Jan 2021, I would be back to work, with extra hours, equivalent to a 20% pay cut.
Praise God for His provision in time of need. He works in ways that we do not see. Through this, God has taught me to be GRATEFUL at all times, TRUST Him always, and be enveloped by His PEACE.
God is GOOD, all the time, and ALL glory to Him.