The Calm in the Storm…

Quote:

“No matter what you face, let your attitude be, God’s got this! ”

~Victoria Osteen

Scripture:

He said, “Come!”  So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the effects of the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

~Matthew 14: 29-32

Perspective:

This season of our life, of world history in the making, is a good example of facing adversity, the adversity that is promised to us in the Bible.  Let me repeat how I began that sentence, so you really hear  it, this season of life; these trying times we are currently in will not last forever, this is a season.  Every time we turn the news on there is an update, things are changing rapidly, and right now it’s not for the better…but one day it will be!  Not only is this season scary, but it feels out of control, like there is nothing we can do about all that is happening around us and to us.  In the 21^st Century many of us are spoiled by comfort and convenience, far too much to even realize in day to day life.  Until very recently, we took for granted something as small as being able to get paper towels when we wanted to AND being able to pick from a variety of brands, but not today.  Today we wonder if and when the shelves will ever  be restocked…and they will.

Today is a new day, with new rules and privileges, BUT we do still have the same control we always had, even if it does not feel  like it, we control our self, the thoughts we let stay in our mind and the actions we take; we never had control over what happens to or around us.  So, let’s take a closer look at the control we do have in this very unpredictable season of life.  First, as always, we can choose fear and panic OR we can choose faith and trust.  We CAN feel peace and joy even in the worst of times.  The reality is, 40-70% of the world’s population is expected to get this virus, but MOST will NOT die, many will have only mild symptoms.  All we can do TODAY is to choose to be part of the solution and not part the problem, we can stay home unless we must go out.  We all learned the difference between wants and needs in elementary school, and for now, we must focus on the needs of our self and our family and put our wants temporarily  on hold.  This is an excellent teachable moment for our children.  We can’t always have what we want and must seek to appreciate those times when we do have what we need.  What you choose to do as a parent, and as a Christian, in these unsettling times is setting a strong example, choose wisely!

We can choose to look at this time at home with our families as precious extra time we GET to have and be grateful for every minute of it (looking back it will seem like it went quickly) OR we can look at it as imprisonment and torture that we must fight to survive through.  What have you been wishing you had time to do?  Resting more, even taking a cherished afternoon nap?  Exercising, getting outside and exploring nature?  Crafting or some other hobby, new or old?  Cooking and baking, trying that new recipe you have been wanting to make?  Spring cleaning and reorganizing?  Reading the Bible?  Reading the stack of books you bought because they sounded so interesting but just haven’t had time to read, yet?  Putting together photo books with a-l-l those photos you have taken throughout the years?  Spending quality time with your family and not having to constantly be on the run?  Facetiming or writing family and friends you have been meaning to reach out to?  Learning something new online?  NOW is your time!  You GET to do all the at-home things you have been wishing you had time for in the business of everyday life, NOW you have time!  If you need ideas of what to do, go on Pinterest or Google ideas, there are an endless number of them out there.  Take advantage of these extra moments to talk with, listen to, and laugh with your kids, to hug and snuggle with them.  Plan a date night in with your spouse after the kids are in bed, you now have time for romance.  YOU can choose to take advantage of this forced time at home, or not!

During this season, you can choose to get healthy OR neglect your health!  What are you eating each day?  Regardless how you feel  in the moment, these are almost certainly not your last meals on earth.  Eating junk may  make you feel better in the moment, but it will not do so overall, not during your time in isolation at home or after.  Are you getting exercise?  Luckily because of my recent hip replacement, I am forced to walk daily to get and stay strong, THAT has been a blessing!  The sidewalks and streets are eerily bare, but we can go outside and get exercise and fresh air with our loved ones.  Enjoy a simple walk outside, the birds are still chirping, and the flowers and trees are still blooming, take time to enjoy the wonders of spring that you might otherwise take for granted.  You now have time to plan and make good choices for your health and the health of your family.

However it feels in the moment, God’s got this!  He is neither surprised by the Coronavirus nor is it bigger than Him.  Today is an opportunity to grow closer to God, to lean on Him for the strength and peace only He can give you…the choice is yours.  No amount of worry and fear will solve this or any other problem we will face in our lifetime.  Take advantage of what you have always had control over, yourself, and use that control to learn, grow, and change into the best version of YOU in this extra time you have been given.  Feed your faith, NOT your fear, and your trust in your Creator will grow during this time in the valley we are all in together.

Life Application:

>What can you do today to take advantage of your forced time at home?  To ensure you and your family come out stronger on the other side?  Think about the different life areas: spiritual, family, relationships, health and fitness, growth and learning, professional, financial, and other if you have one, and set one goal for each area.  Do not forget to write the steps you will take to attain each goal; the goal is like the name of a recipe, the steps are the ingredients and those “how to” steps under the recipe name that are so critical!  Commit to rereading them every morning and spend some time working toward them daily!