Last week was my regular week to post a blog, but my mind was bombarded with thoughts to process and my heart weary from an overdose of emotions. I think we’ve all felt overwhelmed lately. The Coronavirus showed up on the scene and took the world by storm sickness. Mr. Coronavirus changed our “everyday” into a day-by-day wait and see. Thankfully, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We can rest secure in Him. Included in this blog is an application activity that will help you cling to Jesus, who is stable and strong and will carry you through sickness and storm.
Shaking Our World, Stirring Our Souls
While Mr. Coronavirus’s appearance in other parts of the world slowly entered my newsfeeds and talk shows I follow, my boss and good friend, Michael, is the one who caused me think twice about it. He began tracking the Coronavirus long before anyone else in my sphere. He warned that it would probably become a pandemic in the United States and strongly encouraged me to go grocery shopping before people started panic-buying.
Michael shared somewhat hesitantly that he had a 40lb bag of beans at home and enough coffee to fill 500 cups. I joked with him about all those beans, but I marveled at his coffee stash! Then, I seriously considered his warning. First, Michael is a former US Army Scout; he knows how to survive in life-threatening conditions. Second, he looks out for those of us on his team. Third, people panic-buying is a familiar concept. I live in Georgia, where people empty meat, milk, and bread shelves at grocery stores whenever a half inch of snow is forecasted to stick.
Since I do the majority of grocery shopping and cooking for my family, I felt a great responsibility to attempt to prepare us for the future. After all, the Proverbs 31 Woman prepared her family and even laughed at the future.
“She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed in scarlet.” –Proverbs 31:21
“…She laughs at the time to come.” –Proverbs 31:25
I came up with a simple food plan and bought extra every time I shopped. It may have bordered on proactive hoarding, but let’s go with strategic preparation. I encouraged my husband, who buys our coffee beans, to get serious about stocking up!
Around a month later, on Wednesday, March 11, the World Health Organization described the Coronavirus as a pandemic.1 (Yep, Michael called it!) That evening, the President addressed the nation from the oval office, and the Coronavirus became a household name. Social distancing became water cooler talk…until employers sent their employees home to work.
Two days later, the President declared a national state of emergency, and our daily norms fell like dominoes.2 /// Schools and universities closed. /// High school proms were up in the air. /// College semesters cut short. /// Graduation ceremonies were uncertain. /// Meat, milk, and bread shelves emptied. Toilet paper sold out. (Apparently, that’s how we roll in a pandemic.) /// Children dependent on school lunches left with nothing to eat at noon. /// Restaurants closed their dining rooms. /// Sports seasons ended abruptly. /// Social events were canceled. /// Soon-to-be brides and grooms began discussing Plan B for their weddings. /// Grandparents and parents have been left alone and lonely as loved ones love them by keeping their distance. /// Family and friends have lost their jobs. /// Healthcare professionals risk exposure to the virus while serving others. /// Even our churches closed their doors. // /
AND SNAP! Just like that—Mr. Coronavirus shook our world and stirred our souls.
The Coronavirus has brought sickness and death closer to us though we’re not certain how close. Some of us already have family and friends who are sick. Some of you may have someone you love who passed away from it.
It’s an awful lot to process.
Like many churches, my church has been live streaming worship services. On the first Sunday after social distancing went into effect, I connected to my church’s live stream. To my surprise, as I began singing the first verse of the first worship song, tears flooded my eyes, revealing a burdened heart. I welcomed a good cry! Our world often views tears as weakness, but God has taught me their beauty. Tears usher hurting hearts to humility, where we find Christ’s peace and strength. Sweet friend, if you feel like crying at any point, let those tears flow, clearing space in your heart for God’s peace to fill.
So, how are you, my friend?
There’s just not a simple way to answer, is there?
The Lord is at Hand
As Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Christ-followers in Philippi, he was aware that they felt unsettled and fearful about situations beyond their control. He wrote to encourage them about a BIG blessing of belonging to Jesus: Peace of mind and heart.
Paul shared, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonablenessbe known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:4-7
Takeaways:
~ God made a way for us to move forward to profound peace. He doesn’t want His children to stay emotionally stuck.
~ “The Lord is at hand…” Jesus is with us, ready to receive our prayers and commune with us!
~ Believers should pray with intention. As we communicate with God, we can supplicate—humbly approach Him, prayerfully ask Him to intervene on our behalf, and earnestly desire Him to do so.
In order to pray intentionally, you’ll need to take a close look at your heart. You see, when you know WHAT you’re feeling and WHY you’re feeling that way, you’ll know HOW to pray. Following is an activity to help you learn to “Read Your Heart.”
Read Your Heart – application activity
A professional counselor taught me that there are five basic emotions. We feel glad, mad, sad, love, and/or fear.
1—Ask: WHAT emotions do I feel?
- GLAD –
- MAD –
- SAD –
- LOVE –
- FEAR –
2—For each emotion you chose, ask: WHY do I feel that way?
{Remember, Apostle Paul said, “Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING…let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). You can be completely honest. You have nothing to lose but anxiousness and possibly sin that’s keeping you from moving forward to peace.}
{Paul encouraged believers to make our requests known “with thanksgiving.” This is covered under “GLAD.” Even in your darkest hour, there’s always a reason to thank God. For example, His character is forever praiseworthy. }
3—Ask: What do I know to be true? What does God’s Word say about my situation?
{If you belong to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will help you. Jesus described the role of the Holy Spirit to His disciples: “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:25-27).
{The Holy Spirit will bring to mind things you have learned from God’s Word. This is one of the many benefits of studying God’s Word! If you’re not as familiar with Bible truths, then stick with me. In the next blog, we’ll glean more wisdom from Paul’s letter about clinging to Christ through trials. We can all benefit from what God shared through Paul. After all, it’s not every day that we face a global pandemic!}
4—Next ask: How does what I’m feeling and experiencing line up with God’s Word?
{Answering this question “helps destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).}
5—How does God want me to apply His truth in my life?
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Prayer
When you’re done reading your heart, you’re ready to pray! Be sure to include these prayer elements:
- Make your requests known (supplication):
- Thanksgiving:
If you’re having a difficult time knowing how to apply God’s truth in your life, then pray what Paul prayed for the believers in Philippi (read the Bible Book, Philippians, and join me on the next blog):
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Jesus and making a way for me to sit in your presence and know Your peace. I ask that You would help me to know Your peace. “It is my prayer that {my} love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that {I} may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of {You}, God” (Philippians 1:9). In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Next blog > “Finding Purpose, Peace, and a Plan in Trials Like the Coronavirus Pandemic”
*Verses are ESV.
1&2 Didi Martinez, Merritt Enright, Phil McCauslan. (2020)‘Timeline: Trump administration’s response to coronavirus’. NBC News. March 17. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/timeline-trump-administration-s-response-coronavirus-n1162206. (Accessed: March 22, 2020).
