Hello Friends!
My how the world has changed in two weeks! As I sit here and write this, I just glanced out my window. It’s a beautiful day and all seems to be perfectly at peace; however, when I jump on Facebook I am soon hit with the realization that things are far from peaceful. In fact, we went from going about our normal lives to many of us being quarantined. In just a few short days, events have been postponed, businesses have shut down temporarily, and now even churches can not meet corporately for an indefinite amount of time.
Everywhere you go there is just a feeling of uncertainty. There is an atmosphere of fear that has fallen over the entire world and everyone is feeling the effects of it. No one knows exactly what they should do because no one has ever gone through something like this before. I believe that everyone is just trying to do the best they can for themselves and their families but fear is clouding people’s judgment and their decision-making abilities.
Fear Not
John 14:27~ Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
Here is the deal! The Lord is still in control. This virus did not take Him off guard! He is not sitting in Heaven wringing His hands nervously watching how this whole ordeal will turn out. We as Christians need to embrace the peace that has been given to us! These are the times when we should embrace it the tightest and show the world, Jesus!
Now I am going to be real with you! Embracing peace during uncertainty is difficult. I get it! We are all in this together and I have been having to fight the fear back as well. I did not say that it would be easy but what I am saying is we have been given peace. It is a gift God gave us the minute we asked Jesus into our hearts. It is in the times where peace is nowhere to be found on this earth that we need to embrace the peace Jesus gave us. So how do we do that? How do we maintain our peace and help others to maintain theirs?
5 Ways of Embracing Peace
~Pray
2 Chronicles 7:14~ And My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.
God is in control! However, we need to talk to Him. We need to pray about what is going on in our world! The Word tells us that if we will pray He will hear us and heal our land! Let’s take Him at His word!
1 Peter 5:7~ Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
1 Peter tells us to cast our cares on Him. How do we do that? PRAYER! With the unknown comes anxiety, worry, and concern. Pray about it. Tell the Lord you are nervous or upset but then ask Him to help you navigate and make good decisions during this time! He will lead and guide us when we turn to Him and ask Him for His help!
Chances are your spouse is feeling the same fear and uncertainty you are. Use this time to pray with and for each other. A couple who prays with and for each other will have a strong relationship and can help each other maintain their peace.
~Disconnect
Matthew 6:26~ Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?
If we are going to embrace peace we need to set aside time every day to disconnect from the world! Every time I get on Facebook it seems like something new has happened and it is usually bad news. More cases have been confirmed, more businesses have decided to close, more people are hoarding and panicking, but then I realized. How is staying constantly attached to my phone helping me?!?
Do we need to be aware of what is happening, yes, of course, BUT if you are constantly hearing all the negative that is happening you will not be able to embrace peace. Staying connected constantly is feeding the fear and when you do that your peace cannot thrive. So disconnect for a little while each day! Set a time whether it been an hour or a few hours and simply do something else. Anything else that can give you some peace and calm.
Use this time when you are disconnected from your phone/news to connect with your spouse. Spend uninterrupted time together, enjoy a meal, watch a movie, or go for a walk. Disconnection from one thing can bring about a stronger connection to another.
~Worship
Psalm 22:3~ Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
God draws closer to us as we praise Him. Psalms tell us that He makes His throne on praise! Do you want to experience peace? Worship! Turn off the TV or your Facebook app and turn on some music! Through worship, we can be recharged and we can replenish the peace and the hope that we so desperately need right now.
Worship reminds us, Who we serve. It reminds us He is bigger than any virus. It reminds us He is still on the throne and in control!
You can worship alone or with your spouse!
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.
When you and your spouse worship together God comes down and joins you! How amazing is that?!? The good news is the spirit of God and the spirit of fear cannot be in the same place!
~Fun
Proverbs 17:22~ A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing
A lot of things have been postponed right now, and large gatherings are prohibited BUT find a way to have fun with your spouse and family. What brings you joy? What makes you laugh? Going outside is still a thing! Having a family movie night is still a thing! Play a game with your family is still a thing! Laughing and joy is still a thing!
Get creative and finds ways that bring joy and happiness to you and your family.
According to an article by Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. – “Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.”
We could all use a little immune boost right now! You can read the rest of the article here “Laughter is the Best Medicine”
~Find a New Hobby
Ecclesiastes 9:10~ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might
For a lot of us, our schedules have been put on hold, and that can cause a lot of stress if you feel like you have a lot that needs to be done. However, how many of us, have complained about being too busy? I know I have.
Let’s flip our perspective on this. Because of this a lot of things have been taken off our schedules. Let’s embrace this time that we have been given as a good thing. A time that we can rest. A time that we can reconnect with our spouse. More margin in our schedules where we can do things that we had been putting off. Find a new hobby. Discover something together as a couple that you can do together! You have time now! Use it wisely and enjoy it! The hustle and bustle will come back, I assure you, embrace this time to do something new!
To find ways to help change your perspective check out our blog here “Perspective and Pillow Forts“
This Too Shall Pass
Guys, we are going through a crazy time. We will get through it! Let’s get through it well. We can come out of this better than when we went into it! Let’s use this time wisely, embracing peace, and encouraging others to do the same! We are in this together! God is still in control!
You can do this!
We are praying for you!