Sometimes things happen to us that we cannot control any more than we can control the wind. This coronavirus is one of them. It has totally blindsided me. A month ago I couldn’t have imagined that life as we know it would shut down the way that it has. Unless you are a virologist or dooms day prepper, I bet you couldn’t have either. Yet, here we are.

So what are we going to do with this life interrupted? Are you like me, struggling to find your new normal?

We have two choices. We can go into it kicking and screaming or we can go into it trusting and resting. Either way we are going into it. Shoot, we are already there, neck deep into it trying to keep our hands clean and off of our faces and off of the people we love that we are dying to hug.

Attitude has everything to do with how we will weather this storm. One of my favorite quotes is by Chuck Swindoll about attitude.

ATTITUDE

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company… a church… a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes”

Keeping a positive mindset can go miles in getting through a difficult storm. What can we do?

Faith.

We are not in control of what is happening right now, but make no mistake God is. And He is faithful.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.  Proverbs 19:21

God is doing something. He will get us through this. Watch and see. We just have to trust Him and believe.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 

Connect to the Father. Pray. Read your bible. Play and sing praise music. If you fill your mind with the positivity of God and His promises, there is no room for the all negativity that the devil is throwing at you.

Support system.

If you don’t have one, get one. If you are not already closely connected, it is time to get reconnected to family and friends. My husband and I are loving online Sunday School Class zoom chats, phone calls with his parents, and facetime and texting with our kids. Thank God for technology and that the phone and the computer work without contaminating anyone with the virus. Use them as often as you need to. Everybody is needing contact right now. Don’t be afraid to reach out. We need each other.

Gratefulness.

Nothing will lift you out of the dumps like counting your blessings. If you still have a job, be grateful. If you don’t, be grateful that help is on the way and that it is most certainly temporary. Are you well? Be grateful. If you’re not, be thankful for those who will help to care for you. Start a Thankful Journal and write 5 things a day that you are grateful for. Be creative. Put some thought into it. An attitude of gratitude keeps you moving forward and lifts your chin up to keep you out of the dumps. My thankful journal definitely helped get me through my fight with cancer. 

Structure.  

Routine and as much normalcy as possible can help you keep a good attitude. Accomplishing tasks and being able to control the things you can in chaos helps keep you encouraged.

Enjoying Creation. 

My son, Bradley, and I hiked a beautiful 8.5 mile mountain trail yesterday. Just me and my boy and God. Wild flowers blooming everywhere. Birds singing. A cool breeze in the morning. A 400-foot waterfall. Lunch on a huge rock in the shade by a raging river. God’s cathedral. So what we both needed!

Would a walk in the woods or the yard help you? Turn off the TV. The outside is exploding with the beauty of Spring. God is saying He wants life to go on. He wants you to go on. Let’s embrace that.

Helping Someone Else.

When I feel the lowest, helping someone else always makes me feel better. Look around. There is always someone worse off. Helping others boosts your health, your happiness, and your feelings of well-being. There are needs all around us right now. You don’t have to look hard to find one that you can meet while still social distancing.

Dear Lord: Thank You that You are protecting us through this storm, that You are doing a new thing, and that You will bring us safely to the other side. Please touch this virus and diminish its effects. Protect those on the front lines of health care, of essential services, first responders, those who cannot quarantine because of their job. Please be with the students and their families and teachers as they try to adjust to at-home learning. Help us keep a positive attitude while we wait through this storm. In advance, we thank you and we look forward to seeing the miracles and blessings that You are going to work during this time. Amen

Are you feeling the pressure? How are you dealing with it? Is it time to adjust your sails. Please share your thoughts, experiences and comments to encourage our group.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May you and your family stay well and safe during this virus outbreak. Lean into God. He will carry you safely through. Hold on to your positive attitude and to your hope. Things are going to get better.