Hello, I have a problem.
Something is in my way and its name is Pandemic. COVID-19. Corona Virus.
Pandemic is manifesting in the lives of people around the globe in various forms. Some are dealing with the illness caused by the virus. Others are overcome by fear of the unknown and are trying to gain some level of control through their panic-driven purchasing and hoarding. The status of employment has been compromised for people worldwide. Healthcare workers at every level are being pushed and stretched far beyond what they once thought was their capacity.
I’m quite sure most of us in the United States of America—the land of opportunity and the land of plenty—never dreamed we would live in a state of Code Yellow, Code Orange, Code Red levels of mandated quarantine. We couldn’t have imagined the near-instant depletion of everyday necessities from our store shelves. In Manhattan, Times Square is devoid of its hum of citizens and tourists buying, selling, walking, talking, eating, laughing, and simply being. In middle America, Pandemic is plowing through with all its notoriety, wreaking havoc in its wake. And the 24/7 news cycle? Everything we see and hear seems to be driven by fear. It makes us want to throw our hands up and scream, “Aagh! Where is the good news?”
Believe it or not, there IS good news! As we have been forced to close up shop and bring our work home, we are waking up to a new reality.
- We have a renewed appreciation for the people who make up the backbone of our economy; grocery stockers, custodial staff, cashiers, truckers, railroaders, utility workers, and healthcare personnel, just to name a few.
- The fact that I can walk into a store and buy toilet paper (my favorite brand and level of softness toilet paper), hand soap, detergent, and disinfecting wipes is a privilege that doesn’t become a reality without the aforementioned workers.
- We are, by necessity, increasing our capacity for technical skills as we are called upon to utilize higher levels of technology in order to more effectively work from home.
- We are reaching out to, and caring for, our neighbors, our friends, our church members, and those we don’t know at all, to bring them hope.
- We are spending time teaching and helping our own children with their school work.
- Families are eating meals together, playing games together, spending both quality and larger quantities of time together.
Life is different during Pandemic, and in many ways, life is better.
In my book, Your Royal Rendezvous, I talk about fear and how it took over my life for more than twenty-five years! The GREAT NEWS is that no matter how fear starts in our lives, we don’t have to walk in it anymore! The Almighty God desires to deliver us from succumbing to fear. He will help us walk in triumphant victory every single day.
Things get in our way and sabotage our endeavors but we can readjust our focus. Pandemic is hindering my ability to freely move from place to place and I don’t know how long that will last. Pandemic torpedoes my mind, blowing holes through my thoughts and creating the need to readjust my focus, often. BUT, I consciously and deliberately redirect my aim away from Pandemic and onto the desired target, and that is the next best step in reaching my goals, moving me toward my ultimate life vision.
One of my favorite scriptures is from the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians when he instructs that congregation on how to focus their thoughts. He said, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8 NIV)
When we readjust our focus and set our thoughts on what is right, our perspective is renewed. We can then offer the same hopeful perspective to others. Click To TweetRepeating Paul’s list of the kinds of thoughts that are worthy of our time and consideration–true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy–brings a sense of strength and resolve to our hearts. We have the authority to choose where our thoughts land.
God led me out of a fear-filled existence into a life filled with joy; from fear to fabulous, and He desires to do the same for you.
Today, what is in your way?
Your rendezvous is waiting.
