The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has given us so many reasons to worry, but we can choose to pray. The news is filled with jarring statistics daily and it seems like there is no break in sight. We do not have control over what is going on but we have the power to choose our response.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Viktor E. Frankl
We have the power to choose our response – we can choose to worry or we can choose to pray
Worry leads to fear and fear has torment! Do not allow the devil to torment you with something that you have no control over.
There are two important steps to take during these unusual times:
- Guard your gates
Be careful what you allow to get into your heart. Guard the access points to your life by taking heed to what you hear and what you see. Do not fill your ears and your eyes with the news and gory images of hopelessness and devastation. While it is great to stay informed, the news is more toxic now than ever and the media is dumping the toxic information in droves! Refuse to be the dumping ground for negativity.
Be selective with your news feed. Get informed but don’t get sucked in.
- Be intentional
There is a sense of hopelessness that accompanies crisis. The sheer intensity of the devastation threatens to shock us into inaction. However, we can choose to press on and refuse to be paralyzed by fear. By all means, take the necessary precautions but refuse to fear.
This is not the time to give up on life, rather it is time to reprioritize and focus on the things that are truly important in life.
Focus on improving your relationship with God, your family, and yourself! Rediscover your center and let your anchor go deep. Many of us have lost ourselves in the hustle and bustle of everyday life – this is an opportunity to streamline and refocus.
Each time you are tempted to panic, pray
When you are tempted to just give up, pray
When you cannot shake the worry, turn it into a conversation with God
When things get really tight, pray
When you feel blindsided by life, talk to God about it.
Refuse to be silent, choose to pray. The choice is yours.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26.
