Peace in the midst of fear
Fear. Fear is the word that sums up the state of not only our country, but the world. When words like pandemic and shelter in place pop up everywhere you look, fear is a natural response. As I have been watching the news, reading articles and following posts and stories on Instagram, the question of response keeps running through my mind. How should I respond as a follower of Christ, as a wife, a mom, a neighbor and friend? I believe our responses in life matter because people are watching. Our kids are watching, our friends are watching, our co-workers are watching and the people in our community are watching. So as believers, how should we respond? What teachable moments do we need to take advantage of for ourselves and our children? Here are a few things I have been thinking about….
God is in total control. The state of the world is not catching God off guard, He is not surprised because He not only knows all things, but He is in control of all things. We serve a big God, a God who loves us deeply and cares about our fear.
Fear does not control us. While fear is a real emotion and one that is completely understandable given the current state of the world, we do not serve a God of fear. We serve a God of peace and His peace will transcend all understanding and guard our hearts. When we are afraid, we can fully and completely trust in our Creator. I have struggled with fear my life and memorized this short verse, Psalm 56:3 that has become my mantra in life…”When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” In Christ as can find rest, peace and comfort from our fear.
Flexibility is important. This is a big lesson, especially for those of us who are required to shelter in place, to work from home or who are parenting kids who’s lives have been turned upside down. I think it is important for us to model a willingness to adapt and be flexible to our kids. My kids have had everything in their lives canceled. They are upset, disappointed and sad, so as their mom, it is my job to help them see the importance of flexibility. Life does not always go as planned and this is a great teachable moment for our kids. We can help them process their disappointment while helping them see the importance of flexing when life throws you a curve ball. I truly believe this could be a big practical life lesson for a generation who has come to expect instant gratification and constant entertainment.
Selflessness and service are important. As believers we are called to consider others better than ourselves and this is the perfect time to put our words into action. We can serve our families and communities by practicing good hygiene and not exposing others if we have symptoms. What if this pandemic could build healthier habits in people of all ages and could have a long term effect on the spread of the flu each year? Instead of focusing on the fear surrounding COVID-19, I want to focus on healthy habits with my kids and the importance of taking care of the physical bodies God has blessed us with. I think there can be lots of positives that come out of this crisis and there is a lot we can learn about how to care for ourselves and those around us.
Time at home does not equal a punishment. What if we viewed time in our homes as a gift instead of a bummer? As I was looking at my calendar last night and realizing all that has been canceled, I started to feel bummed out. I love being busy and filling life with fun, but I also started to feel released by the emptiness of my calendar. This is a time to lean in, to lean in to our kids, to have intentional conversations, to make time at home fun, to curl up on the couch and watch movies and eat popcorn. This could a monumental family unifying and strengthening point in our world. What if this virus heals families by forcing them to be together? What if relationships can be mended because we suddenly have more time on our hands to evaluate and reach out? What if we use this time to dream, to read our Bibles, to learn and to fall more in love with Jesus? I have been trying hard to change my perspective from “having” to be home together to “getting” to be home together. This small little change in my perspective has given me joy in the midst of being stuck in our house.
While I do not want to downplaying the crisis that we face as a nation and a world, I still think good can come out of this crisis. I believe God can use this virus to draw people to Himself, to help us gain a deeper value for our relationships and to bring families closer together. As we navigate the new waters of uncertainty and sheltering in place, let us not forget that God is good, God is in control and He never changes.