Traffic isn’t bottle necking in the usual spots on my way to work this week.
My office is quiet with a skeleton crew carrying out duties and many others telecommuting from their homes.
Kids have never went back to school from spring break and who knows if they will or not.
People are stock piling, and those that haven’t are feeling like maybe they should have, as normal necessities are difficult to find on some days.
One moment you are not worried, than you stop by the store to grab a few things and the shelves containing rice are now empty. You begin to realize that maybe things are changing for the worst faster than you thought.
Or are they?
It’s easy to let fear run rampant in our hearts, and yet I am determined to not live this way. It’s exhausting and it limits our capacity for a calm spirit, to love others well, and to let peace reign. It strips us of joy, and causes us to act out of character.
God is greater than all of this my friend.
The electronic sign over the freeway this morning stated, Coronavirus: Wash Your Hands Frequently. Maybe this is actually the best advice of all.
It’s always good to be reminded to do what you know to do. Right?
Maybe that is what all of us need to be reminded of. During crazy times keep doing what you know to do. And if you are not doing what you know to do, please start my friend!
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- Guard your heart and mind and let God’s truth, that doesn’t change even in a crisis, permeate your soul and calm your spirit.
- Follow precautions, be wise, and safe.
- Prepare, and if you are able, help others who are struggling.
- Give grace to yourself, your family, and others during these times. We all handle crisis and change differently.
- Stay connected to the people in your life (via phones calls, Marco Polo App, Facetime, texting) we were not meant for isolation and ongoing social distancing.
- Be aware, but not consumed. Limit your media intake: take more time to read, and be present with your family.
- Listen to Dr. Caroline Leaf’s Podcast on managing your brain health during a time of crisis. Fear can be worse than COVID-19.
The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV). What we allow to consume us determines what we think and do.
If we feed into the media frenzy our minds will begin swirling with stories of panic, fear, and overwhelm that we’ll repeat to ourselves and others.
It’s so easy to get sucked into, and yet, it’s just not worth it. When we stay in fear mode our clear thinking shuts down and we need an alert mind during these times.
All that is happening at such a rapid pace in the world as a whole, in our nation, and in our own lives can be difficult to conceive or take in all at once. Give yourself time, grace yourself, and allow yourself space to process your emotions.
Information overload is a real thing. It can be paralyzing if we’re not careful.
That is why it’s vital that we choose to guard our hearts and minds, and ask God to let His thoughts be our thoughts. God is still God even when pandemics break out. I know I need His perspective over my own every single day and especially right now.
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me” (Psalm 62:5-7).
I don’t know about you, but I tend to get quiet when there is a lot of back to back transition in my life. My new reality takes a moment to sink in as I begin to process what I’m seeing, hearing and experiencing. Your response maybe the opposite to mine. That is okay too.
Let’s grace one another as we maneuver through these changing times.
God may ask each of us to respond in various ways that will look far different than the person sitting next to us. That is okay too.
Let’s lay criticism aside, cheer one another on, and keep focused on what God has entrusted in our hands to do, even now.
My Prayer For Us All:
Lord,
Let peace reign in our hearts.
You have NOT given us a spirit of fear, but of love and of a sound mind.
Lord, the Coronavirus is not a surprise to you. We place our trust.
We know the enemy has come to steal, kill, and destroy while you have come to bring LIFE. Help us not to panic, but to ask what you would have us to do as your hands and feet.
Help each of us to be flexible, creative and to bend to your ways over ours. Reshape our thoughts, in this fast paced, ever changing world-to your perspective.
Protect us by your mighty power as we are being careful and wise.
While we may have fears, help us not to obey the voice of fear over your voice-the voice that brings peace in the midst of the storm.
Let us not be disillusioned or controlled by fear.
Help us be vessels used for your glory even in the midst of loud opinions, wise safety precautions, and a society that is changing in real time. Give us strength to follow you and not be sucked into the mayhem of panic.
Help us to process our emotions, be kind, grieve our losses of various kinds, grace one another, and let love prevail.
Help us to be wise stewards of things we can control in our lives and trust you with what we cannot control.
As a nation let us repent of our sins and turn to you once again, so that our land may be healed.
Help us to rest in your love for us.
In Jesus Name, Amen
With a lot of love and grace extended your way, be safe my friends!
Make a difference in your world!
Love,
Joelle Povolni
If you have enjoyed this post, I think you’ll love this one too: Let Peace Rule.
