Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”—Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

Do I choose prayer over panic? Will I worship rather than worry? Those are my choices. The only thing that worry changes for me is my blood pressure. If I start to think about things beyond my control before my feet hit the floor, I will let fear be in the driver seat of my day. I will trust God not let panic take hold of my mind about the Coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean I don’t follow the CDC guidelines for prevention.

When I am weakened by worry, God can give me the power if I will just give it to Him. The blessing I receive when I do this is peace. The problem may still be there but my anxious thinking is replaced with calm.  I am not stockpiling food/toilet paper. If I need it, I will buy it and if food isn’t on the store shelves, I will dig deep in my freezer/pantry for food that I already have….which is plenty. I am not going to give into the panic of others.

Since I am germ conscious, washing my hands, cleaning door handles, grocery carts, using a paper towel to open the bathroom door as I exit public restrooms are all nothing new for me. Isn’t this all good hygiene that we should all be practicing? More people are now actually covering their mouths when they cough, sneezing into their arms and staying home if they are sick. I think that these are all positive things don’t you?

Good will come out of this. Maybe families will grow closer and spend more time doing things as a family like playing games and eating meals together. Can we use this time to pick up the phone and talk to friends/family that we haven’t seen in some time? Especially those, that we know live alone and may feel a bit isolated during this “scare.”

People might be less wasteful, which in turn will be better for the environment. I know I am using less paper towels, eating what food I have and freezing leftovers so they don’t end up in the trash. 

With God on our side, we have an opportunity to act differently than the world around us. Satan’s goal is for us to not be able to manage our emotions. We can’t let fear drive our thoughts and actions. More than ever, this is a time to go to God’s Word for a place of respite from all that is surrounding us.  Happiness is contagious. Where can we spread the love of Jesus this week? Where can we shine the light of positivity in this negative atmosphere?

Are there any small business where you typically shop where you can phone in your orders or shop online so they can still have some revenue? If you aren’t comfortable eating out, could you order a meal to go, where they either deliver it or bring it to you curbside? Any homebound or elderly neighbors where you could drop off a meal or bring them needed items? Can you make any online donations to a non-profit that is need of extra funding because of this? This is a time for us to come together as a nation. What can you do this week to bring some unity in your corner of the world?

Dear Lord, 

Thank You that Your Word can renew my thoughts and attitude every day. Give my heart peace and protect it from fear and worry this week. Help me to not let my heart be troubled but trust You and have faith that none of this takes You by surprise. I praise You that You can bring good out of what is happening despite what the world sees. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

March Memory Verse

“The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.”—Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

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