This is embarrassing…

Okay, I’ve got to be honest with you. I’m not proud of the way I handled the first two weeks of coronavirus pandemic. 🥴

My imagination ran wild.

How many will get sick? How many will die? Will a cure and/or vaccine will be found? If so, how long will it take? Until then how long will it take before life returns to normal? Will it become impossible to get food? Will civilization as we know it fall apart? Could this be God’s judgement? Could coronavirus even be an existential threat to the entire human race? (Yeah, my imagination ran away with me.)

I worried about our finances.

My husband and I recently moved to Florida. What if our rapidly dwindling investment portfolio could no longer support our lifestyle here? Then I felt guilty worrying about our lifestyle when others had much more serious concerns, such as health, jobs, and basic necessities of life, not only in the U.S., but around the world.

I wrestled morally.

My husband and I would schlepp to the grocery store early in the morning, trying to find toilet paper, eggs, and meat. It bothered me. We were actually competing with other people for these items. Ugh. I hate that.

I rebelled against social distancing.

Therefore, I postponed social distancing longer than I should have. My husband has diabetes, and I could have brought coronavirus home to him.

Instead of talking with God about these concerns, I obsessed with the news and social media.

In fact, without realizing it, I was somewhat afraid to talk with God, because what if coronavirus is part of His judgement of the U.S. and the rest of the world? Even more scary, what if it was God’s judgement of my own lifestyle too? Had I been that oblivious of what God might have been trying to say to me, perhaps for years?

I beat myself up for being such a mess.

I’m a former pastor, and I’m currently a life coach who helps people find and fulfill their Christian calling. I want to be an example during these trying times. However, some of my coaching clients, who are also Christian leaders, bravely confessed to me their own less-than-faith-filled responses.

Many Christians struggle with fear about coronavirus—and with guilt about that fear. Perhaps you do too! Hence, I’m writing this blog!

Get a grip!

My turning point came just four days before I wrote this blog that you’re now reading.

God spoke to me during a live online worship service from Crossroads Church, where my husband and I served when we lived in the Pittsburgh region.

The main way God spoke to me through that online worship service was through the authentically joyful, faith-filled, and Christ-centered faith of the speakers and worship leaders—most of whom I knew personally.

Very clearly, I heard Jesus say, “Get a grip!”

I sensed that His face did not look angry when He said it. He was laughing!

Holy cow! (Pardon the irreverent idiom!)

Something inside me broke loose.

Suddenly—because I now heard God above the clamor of the world—I felt so much better! And I started really hearing His wisdom for the pandemic.

Here’s what “Get a Grip” looks like in the Bible:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

Now, I realize that “Get a Grip” would be a flippant thing for Jesus to say to someone who is struggling with far more serious COVID-19 issues than I am—for example, people who actually get the disease, their jobs, or have young children at home from school.

Regardless of your situation during this pandemic and self-quarantine, Jesus has a word uniquely for you. Ask Him what it is!

Some people just want to get through the pandemic. They feel like they’re wasting their time, so they must want to bide their time.

As a follower of Jesus in the pandemic, I don’t want to just get through it. I want God to get through to me.

This pandemic has already caused me to re-evaluate my life. Appreciate what’s important. Even enjoy the reprieve from constant activity.

I want to take maximum advantage of this unprecedented opportunity—one that I might never have in quite the same way ever again—to grow in strength, courage, and fruitfulness for the long haul.

This pandemic could be one of the great defining moments of my life—and yours!

I want to look back on this pandemic and see that I handled these scary times with courage, strength, wisdom, service, and impact for God’s Kingdom.

Jesus gave us His roadmap for the pandemic!

In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus gave these two Greatest Commandments:

• “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
• “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

It can be easy to go into survival mode and think that the Greatest Commandments are just for so-called normal times, not for pandemics. A pandemic might seem to requires more energy than we have.

In fact, the Greatest Commandments give us a clear and practical road map toward flourishing courageously and fruitfully through the most difficult times.

1. Connect authentically and regularly with God. “Love the Lord your God…” (verse 30)

The beginning of joy, courage, and fruitfulness in difficult times is God. Put Him first, even more now than ever.

• Talk with God honestly about your worries.

Tell God everything. It’s not wrong to confess fear, anxiety, and worry to God. In fact, the Bible tells us to do that!

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)

“Give God your worries, and He will give you His peace.” (unknown author)

• Spend more time with God than with the news and social media.

“What consumes your mind controls your life.” (unknown author)

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33-34)

Of course, especially during rapidly changing times, we want to stay informed. So, of course, get a daily news update. But don’t consume hours of it every day. That will keep your focus on your worries instead of on God.

To get a free daily tool for helping your connect daily with God, click here.

• Find timely online Christian resources for daily encouragement during the pandemic.

“When you fix your thoughts on God, God fixes your thoughts.” (unknown author)

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. (Philippians 4:8)

Connect with a church service or small group online.

• If your church’s services aren’t online, click here for worship services that will encourage you and move you forward during these difficult pandemic times.
• The services are presented Live, seven times each weekend, including interactive video, chat, and opportunities to contact someone for prayer and an online small group.
• This is the church where I once served as one of the pastors.

• Ask God how He wants you to spend daily time with Him.

2. Find uniquely personal ways to serve others. “Love your neighbor…” (verse 31)

During the pandemic, love your neighbor in the broadest sense of that phrase. You might think you don’t have the energy for it. But your focus will inexplicably shift off of your problems as you serve others.

By this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

• Pray for others.

• Call some people who are lonely or struggling. Just ask them how they’re doing, and listen.

• Serve others in ways that are uniquely YOU. For example, I’m writing this blog!

• Pray for and call some friends or coworkers who do not yet follow Jesus. Just ask how they’re doing, and listen.

• Ask God how He wants you to serve others during this pandemic.

2. Take care of yourself. “…Love your neighbor as yourself” (verse 31)

[Jesus said,] “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

This Bible verse shows that, yes, it is healthy to love yourself as Christ loves you.

Especially during a pandemic or other struggle, it’s important to take care of yourself spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally.

• Call, FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype friends and family. Even if you’re not accustomed to connecting with certain people in these ways, try it! Experience the relationship in a different way on the phone or online. I did it myself—it works! Stay relationally connected. Just ask how they’re doing, and then go from there.

• Do some fun things during this pandemic. Google it for some unique ideas! There’s plenty of stuff out there!

• Ask God how He wants you to love yourself as He does: spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally, during this pandemic.

• What is God teaching and showing you during the self-quarantine? How will that make your life and ministry even better after the pandemic is over?

• Ask God what He is teaching you. Write it down, so that you don’t forget.

• Ask God how He might be changing your personal and/or ministry priorities for post-pandemic times. For help in getting clarity about your Christian calling, click here.

• Cultivate the increased gratitude you feel.

• Rededicate your life and ministry to God.

What about you?

It’s normal to be shaken during times like these. It’s okay to struggle. But instead of retreating into fear and isolation, draw authentically near to God, connect with others in love and service, love yourself as Christ loves you, and allow Him to transform your life and ministry for a joyful and fruitful future.

God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen! (Ephesians 3:20-21)

How do you sense God encouraging and transforming you during this time?