COVID19 is Changing Times
These are different and uncertain times, aren’t they? We are navigating new waters as COVID19 races across the world. And it seems that things change on a daily basis.
We went from playing the March Madness basketball games with no fans except for family members to no March Madness at all.
Then there were no church services. I do not go to church to fulfill an obligation. I go to church to commune with the body of Christ. To hear his word proclaimed in a community setting and hear a message that gives me practical and personal ways to adapt the message to my life.
Yes, I have a daily quiet time. But I MISS going to church. My quiet time is not the same as worshiping in community.
But…no church. No community worship. No community gathering of any sort. No going to the gym.
I get the reason for this. I am currently healthy and have much to be thankful for. But it is hard. And I recognize that it is hard for all of us.
This virus is NOT bigger than God!
I remind myself that this virus is not a surprise to God. That he is STILL on the throne. He is STILL in charge.
Here are some things that I am doing to get through these difficult days.
I am listening to uplifting music on Amazon Prime.
I am journaling more and writing scripture on index cards. These are two of my favorites right now.
2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Resources That Help Me Manage COVID19 Stress
I am listening to podcasts that bring comfort. Such as The Presence Project by Summer Gross. Summer is a Spiritual Director that I met a few years ago at a retreat hosted by one of my clients. She has a website and a podcast that I find very helpful.
Summer released an episode last Sunday, March 15 that was exactly what I needed to hear last week. It is titled When You Need the One who Calms Storms.
I am using prayer apps more. Here are some that I like.
Abide has both a free and paid version. I have used both. Currently, I am only using the free one.
Pray As You Go is more liturgical and I find their music to be soothing and reflective.
Another thing that has been exceedingly helpful is limiting my news intake to 20 minutes or less per day. The first few days I binged on news and practically made myself sick. This has made a monumental difference in my mental health!
Finally, my friend Kris Camealy, has a new book releasing April 7 and the timing of the release is totally a God thing. Her new book is a roadmap for letting go and recognizing that God is ultimately in control…no matter how much we like to THINK we are!
These are uncertain times but I know who holds the whole world in his hands. I know who is in charge. And I am doing my best to be patient and wait for HIM to make his plan known
What are you doing to navigate these crazy times?
I too am trying to focus on God’s promises. And, raising three little girls during my retirement years is difficult, but the joy these children bring is a blessing beyond measure. I take comfort in the verse in Colossians that says, By Him all things consist
(ARE HELD TOGETHER)
I thank God for the times it looks like all will fall apart because that is when he shows me that he is the glue; the certainty in all of the seeming chaos. Thank you Mary, for putting me in remembrance of these things.
These are such encouraging words, Mary. I glad you decided to write again. Writing scripture on index cards is good for me too.
I have been listening to Pray as you go for a few years now. Thanks for your thoughts Mary.
Wonderful thoughts Mary. Many blessings dear friend