In this current pandemic crisis, so many seem to have lost perspective. Our world has gone crazy with fear and hoarding. I thought I was handling it all very well until this afternoon when I order groceries to be delivered.
My perspective was one of disgust and frustration with the many that have cleared store shelves out of fear and panic. Almost half of the groceries I ordered were basic items (chicken sausage, Jiffy mixes, etc.) and they were “out of stock.”
This too shall pass!
As I responded to text messages with the shopper selecting my groceries, it would have been so easy to get really angry. However, I heard my dad’s voice in my mind say, “This too shall pass.” He said that when I lost perspective and patience at 38 weeks pregnant with my twins when I was miserable just as an example.
I actually started to laugh as I thought of the many times he had said that to me throughout my life. I’ve missed that reminder from him over the last twelve years. “This too shall pass” was his twist on the many places in Scripture that say “and it came to pass.” My favorite Christian comedian added the phrase, “It didn’t come to stay.” “And it came to pass” was a transition in Scripture to let us know that something new was coming in the Bible narrative. It was often followed with a prophecy of what was going to happen and what the results or consequences would be.
We need to look at our current situation from that same perspective. “And it came to pass” that a pandemic swept over the world but “it didn’t come to stay.” We will not always be banned from meeting in groups of more than 10 to 50 people, forced to work from home if we are in a high-risk demographic or be unable to find toilet paper in the grocery store.
Steps to a proper perspective
How do we regain our positive outlook and perspective as we are in the midst of the pandemic before it too passes? Here are some simple steps that each of us can take.
- Spend time in prayer and the Word rather than in fear and panic. Pray for your family, your neighbors, and our leaders. Live in the promise of Psalms 91:11. Realize that His angels are protecting you and even if you get sick, He is with you.
- Take the precautions directed by health agencies across the country, states, and counties. Wash your hands, keep surfaces disinfected, maintain the recommended social distance, and work from home if asked.
- Take care of your family and use resources wisely. Don’t be a hoarder. If your family uses one or two packages of toilet paper each week, don’t buy multiple cases “just in case.” Be considerate of those that are having difficulty getting just what they need for this week. Consider making donations to your local food or hygiene bank as their resources are being greatly stretched.
- Don’t neglect to meet together with your fellow Christians–even if it is online. We need to be encouraged so we can be encouragers.
- Remember that “this too shall pass” and “it didn’t come to stay.”
The pandemic has costs.
Not everything about the pandemic can be overcome with a positive perspective. Some have lost loved ones or suffered economic setbacks due to the wide-reaching effects of this outbreak. If you are an extrovert, being quarantined or maintaining social distance is probably driving your crazy. If you are an introvert, you may be struggling with others being in your space more often than normal. Be sensitive to the needs and losses of those around you.
Make the most of this time!
As we wait for this pandemic to pass, we can choose to find the positives in this situation. Yes, there are positives. We have more time to spend with family as we are encouraged to stay away from public gatherings. We may have more creative time since we have fewer errands to run.
For now, I am working from home. I get to use the two hours a day that I normally commute to be creative, rest, and refresh my mind, body, and soul. How are you spending the time as we wait for this pandemic to pass? Have you found your perspective to be positive or negative?
Let’s encourage each other with our words and actions during this time of forced slowdown.
Love being able to enjoy my heart for home and share it with you through this time!
