It’s an unprecedented time with schools, conferences, governments, sporting events, and virtually any public gathering all being canceled across the globe. The COVID-19 is wreaking havoc in all aspects of our lives. We all know these precautionary measures aren’t life-threatening in and of themselves, but we’ve heard reports of how badly other countries have been hit and we as a nation are working to ward off the worst.
As a result, people are frightened and uncertain about how to respond. As in so many areas these days, it seems our leaders cannot win in this situation. When they didn’t take immediate and drastic action, they were criticized for not taking it seriously. When they did take action, they were criticized for overreacting by others.
I do not pretend to be an expert on this topic nor am I qualified to give advice on how to mitigate or treat this pandemic. But I am starting to wonder if this isn’t a wake-up call for us all to put life back into perspective and help us to focus on the things that are truly important. I’m here to help remind you, my listeners, to remain calm and give you some suggestions on how you can be a positive influence for change during this or any storm of life.
Think back to the storm where Jesus and his disciples are crossing the lake and a fierce storm develops and threatens to swamp the boat. Despite the real danger they were in, Jesus was napping. The disciples woke Jesus up in a panic.
Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waves and the storm stopped and all was calm.
Not unlike our current situation, the dangers with the storm on the Sea of Galilee were very real. And like the disciples, it is easy for us to think that God has lost control of the situation and that we are at the mercy of this very contagious disease. But in reality, God is very much in control of every situation, including this one.
Does that mean that people will not get sick or even die? Clearly not. But it does mean that He can calm this storm, and truly any storm, we face. I like the wording in my New Living Translation of Isaiah 41:10 where it says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
As the pastor reminded us in church this week, there are no guarantees that we or someone love won’t be afflicted by this virus. Many will die.
But in my research, I discovered that on average, 150,000 people die every day from various causes. And according to fullfact.org, approximately 57,000 die of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes every single day. Heck, mosquitos kill over 1,000 people day. Unless Jesus comes before our time here is up, every single one of us will die.
The point is, we don’t know when our time will come and we don’t know how it will happen. Not one of us knows how many days we have ahead of us, so instead of letting this event throw us into a useless panic, let’s use it to remind us to live out our values and get really connected to the things that matter.
I believe it’s possible that God is allowing this scare to happen so we can all stop using the excuse that we are too busy to avoid doing His will and live out his purpose. It’s possible that this is His way to help us to take the focus off of ourselves and focus on those who are really in need. So many of us are focused on the inconvenience it is causing us and the fear of what could happen if we are quarantined for an extended period of time, that we’re forgetting that this is going to have serious consequences for some people.
The people who will contract the disease aside, many people will lose their livelihood during this time. They won’t be able to work because people are staying at home or because they don’t have childcare. It’s having a devastating impact on the travel and food industries. People are already being laid off or will be soon. And yet, those who are simply inconvenienced are complaining the loudest.
It kind of reminds me of the people of Israel and their constant complaints to Moses. First, it was the food wasn’t good enough. Then they were afraid there wouldn’t be enough water. Like them, many of us are complaining about the situation instead of praying about it. Surely, some problems can be resolved by careful thought or rearranging our priorities like we are being forced to do in this pandemic, but truly some problems can only be solved by prayer.
I encourage all of you to shift the energy complaining about whether the situation is being handled properly or not, and instead of grumbling and complaining, pray. Pray for our leaders, the people who are sick, the people who are out of work, the people who are taking care of the sick, the people who are working long hours to keep up with the demand for supplies to provide our needs and those who are anxious about the situation.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t also take action. Of course, we need to be proactive. Do all the things the CDC tells us to do to avoid contamination. And do what you need to do to be prepared. Make sure you have enough food, medical supplies, and paper products to get through a quarantine period but don’t buy all the food or toilet paper. Remember others need some too! There will be enough if everyone doesn’t go over the top in being prepared.
In many cases, it’s too late. Grocery store shelves are empty of necessities and while some have enough supplies to last a year, others have none. If you are one who may have overreacted, reach out and offer to share with someone who wasn’t as lucky as you were. Turn your greed into an act of kindness by giving some of your overabundances away to someone in need.
But most importantly, use this time to remind people of why we believe what we do. How we know that regardless of how this turns out, we will be ok. That we are forgiven for our sins and saved by our faith. That as someone of faith, we know it will all be ok and can remain calm. Honestly, if people see us acting like a crazy person who thinks the world is going to end, we don’t exhibit someone with a lot of faith, do we?
So stop. Take a deep breath. And think about how you can be the calm in the storm. How you can exhibit that person who is confident in the promises we have in Jesus and who knows He is in charge and will protect us from everything. Even the Coronavirus.
As in all situations, look for opportunities to learn to grow in this circumstance.
Kids can’t go to school? Teach them something new and exciting at home. Read with them. Heck, take some time and explain how pandemics work and how they can be responsible for their own health and wash their hands and clean up after themselves to protect the family from infection. Help them to understand why it’s important to cover their cough not just now but always.
Can’t attend the St. Patty’s day parade or your favorite sporting event? Turn the time into a history lesson and learn about the real St. Patrick and what he did to save the Irish all those years ago. Or stay home and play a game together. Or, as I suggested in the episode two weeks ago, dust off your bible and begin the habit of studying what Jesus has to say about fear.
Read a good book.
Or write a good book!
If you’ve been meaning to take a course or change jobs, start that course or freshen up your resume.
There are honestly so many ways to turn this situation into a positive time in our life, it literally is endless.
Most importantly, take this time to simply sit with Jesus and listen to what he has to say both directly through your thoughts and through his Word. Do a Lenten devotion and really study the related scripture.
For example, in Matthew, Jesus said, “Come to me you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” I’ve recently learned that resting in God is much more than sitting around and waiting for him to take action. Rather it is doing what we reasonably can and trusting that he will take care of the rest. Our minds can be at rest knowing he is in control. Now is a great time for us to learn that lesson. Do what we can and then let it go and trust that God’s will be done.
In Psalm 46:10, God says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Again, what better way than this to help us realize that we are incapable of controlling what happens in our life. Take time to thank and praise him each day, even during this trial, and honor Him for his power and majesty. He has the final victory and He can stop this turmoil in a heartbeat or He can continue to let things unravel until we learn the lessons that are in it for us. We can either acknowledge His sovereignty and react calmly and rationally or we can deny it and continue to live in chaos.
So stop. Listen. And respond to what you are being called to do. If it is to help others, then help someone who is in need. If it is to get things you’ve been meaning to get to do, use this time to get things you’ve been meaning to do done. If you know in your heart that you should be spending more time with your family, this is a great time to plug and spend time with your family. And if you’ve got people you’ve been meaning to reach out to, by all means, contact that friend you’ve been meaning to connect with. There may not be a better time than this to calmly respond to the things that God has been asking you to do.
If you are listening to this podcast, chances are He’s placed a longing for more on your heart. A knowing that there should be more to life and you’ve got an empty place that will remain empty until you step into that calling. The one that is unique to you and that until you start living it full out, you won’t be content in life. Maybe this is your time to step into that and truly make the difference in your or someone you love’s life.
So stop complaining about how badly your life has been interrupted and go do something with this gift and can really make a difference in someone’s life.
It’s a time for us all to make an impact on the lives around us. Be the calm in the storm. Show others how we can trust in God’s promises and know that everything is going to be ok regardless of how this will turn out.
It could be completely life-altering, or it could end up just being a bump in the road. We won’t know for some time, I’m sure. I for one appreciate the perspective one school superintendent is quoted as saying on Facebook the other day, “In the end, it will be impossible to know if we overreacted or did too much, but it will be QUITE apparent if we under reacted or did too little.”
That day in the boat, Jesus knew what the outcome of the storm was going to be. That was how He was able to sleep soundly through the raging winds. He had no need to be alarmed. We, too, know the final outcome and have no need to be alarmed. So the next time you feel that panic of not knowing what will happen well up inside of you, remember that you DO know the final outcome and BE the calm that will set the example for others.
To learn more about how I help people of faith to live the life they were created to live, click here.
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I want to thank you for stopping by today. I know how precious your time is and I appreciate you spending some of your day with me today. So use the good judgment God gave you and be the calm in this crazy storm. Shine the light and go, be blessed, and live your more!
