Fear or Wisdom

Am I obeying the “stay at home” order out of fear or wisdom? I do not stay home out fear of a virus. I am just following directions and trying to be wise. Listening to doctors in the field, wise counsel and close friends in other countries who are living this and ahead of us. They have seen the worst and know the severity. We can make a difference in our decisions. Let’s do this together!!!

 I don’t know where you are in the string of opinions and emotions but a lot applies to us all. So I have listed a few things to do that I think can help us all as we walk through something so unexpected and so life changing. I pray that even one nugget is helpful or encouraging to you.

To do list:

1. Make good decisions. Can we be wise and PRUDENT in our choices? My Amelia asked, “what is prudent?” Siri answered her with this definition…”acting with or showing care and thought for the future.” As much as I am consumed with what I want to do and who I would love to see, I must think of the big picture. I need to think of others and the future for us all. What is necessary? What is helpful? My cousin sent me this as a good reminder from Martin Luther. “I shall ask God to mercifully protect us. Then I will fumigate, purify the air, administer medicine, and take medicine. I shall avoid places and persons where my person is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God shall wish to take me, He shall surely find me. But, I have done what He has expected of me, and so I am not responsible either for my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person, but shall go freely. This is a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy, and does not tempt God.” Isn’t it amazing how something written so long ago sounds as if it were written for our situation! Proverbs 1:7
2. Show GRACE!! To yourself, your spouse, children, neighbors and even those all over social media. We are ALL affected by this and ALL in different ways. Some lives haven’t changed tons and others, though, have been affected greatly. But I can fairly say no matter your season of life, job situation, age or state you live in we all have been affected. It is hard for anyone to change things cold turkey. I, personally, do not like change. However, it was thrust upon me whether I wanted it or not. I am still working and yet I have had to switch to providing everything we can online. Another personal FYI here… technology is not my strong suit! My kids have been thrown into online schooling with zero prep time. Thankful in both situations to have technology as an option to stay connected. Others though have lost jobs, can’t see a loved one, are ill themselves, are completely alone if they are single and don’t live at home…the list goes on. You must take care of your situation and those you care for, including yourself. Do what is best in your situation! At the same time, understand and remember everyone’s reality is not the same as yours. All people handle stress different. Some don’t have a choice that depression sneaks in or frankly, barges in unannounced. Don’t judge; rather encourage one another. If someone comes to mind, call them! Write a note today. Send a text or a card through snail mail. Just reach out. Also, if you need help or to talk, please don’t hesitate to call me. I would love to be there to encourage you and at least be a listening ear. I am sure I can not fix all the things but I can point you to the One who can help you through all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
3. Lean into all you have been taught in God’s word. If you don’t already know about it, study His character – IT NEVER CHANGES! Search deeper for more understanding of His great love for you. Abide in Him and he will give you peace. Then acknowledge that yo u need Him and REST IN HIS ARMS! We have to come to terms with the fact that we are not self sufficient. We must learn to trust God in our adversity. Our first priority is not to get out of the uncomfortable situation and gain relief or some sense of normalcy back. I know this would be a natural desire but we must first honor and glorify God by trusting in Him and this is hard to do if you don’t know his character and his promises. We honor Him all the more when we do not understand nor would we have chosen the circumstances we are in and we don’t know what He is doing or why He is allowing something to occur and then to tarry. Hebrews 13:5-8; Psalm 62:5-8; Psalm 73:28; Psalm 86; 1 Samuel 2:2; 1 John 1:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13
4. Pray often. Pray believing He is good. Pray knowing He can do more than you ask or imagine. Pray without ceasing! Pray knowing He is Sovereign (in control) as well as perfect in love and infinite in wisdom. Pray with full confidence that he cares. Did I mention to pray? Please join me in praying for God to move in the healing of our country and that it would be more than a physical healing but also a spiritual healing. May we pray in confession, humility and earnestness. I pray this will grow our relationship with God the Father and draw us closer to Jesus. May revival begin and let it begin in me. May we hear from and feel the Holy Spirit with us as we walk these uncertain days. Do you know what is not uncertain? WHO we trust in and how the story ultimately will end! That is right, Jesus WINS!!! 1 Timothy 2:1-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Ephesians 3:20-21; 1 Peter 5:7; Romans 12:12
5. Stay positive! Did you know stress inhibits your immune system? Just saying! Let’s help ourselves as much as we possibly can. We can at least fill our minds with the good and not ONLY the sad, twisted, mostly negative, and unfortunately at times misleading biased news reports. Don’t get me wrong – this virus and situation is real and serious! But we are not made to consume media 24/7. We are not made to bear the weight of the world! OUR CREATOR is and he can handle it!! Let us focus on things above, not on earthly things. Phillippians 4:8-9; Colossians 3:2; 1 Corinthians 4:18

Remember…

“All I have needed thy hand hath provided – – Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Thomas Chisholm, 1923

Stay healthy and wash your hands!

I love you 1,000 elephants!!

Tara