1. If It Wasn’t for God, I Would Have Lost My Mind
I used to hear the elders say this all the time during church. Many of you probably have too, but is this something you can really say you relate to? Have you ever experienced the peace of God which transcends all understanding? It will also guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7.
This virus is scary, but I am truly at peace. I don’t understand it, but in my lack of understanding, I always look for hope, and I always look for something positive in such a negative situation. This by far is the worst thing I have witnessed the whole world go through together, but there are positive things we can get out of this. Keep reading.
2. People Who Lack Are Some of the Most Creative People
If you grew up like me, you did not always have everything you needed. When I went away to college, I had to be creative in order to survive. And just like many of you right now, I still have to be creative to survive. Many of you may be living paycheck to paycheck now. And when those who do not live paycheck to paycheck panicked and bought most of the supplies, leaving us with limited resources, you were forced to come up with a different solution.
I don’t know how it is in your household, but when I was younger, I saw my mom and grandma take the limited supplies they had to make things work. I know many people in the Black community who can take food that doesn’t typically go together to create something different. That may seem small, or it may have become the norm in many households, but that is creativity.
What creativity do you have locked up inside you that can change the whole world? Use this time to think, observe, and create. How can you help people like you? I recently saw a post on the Now This News Instagram page about a young dad who created a safety pod to protect his newborn from the virus. Perhaps you have an invention that can help in the next crisis, or perhaps you have a dream you never took the time to work towards. Be creative. You may not have to go back to work.
3. We Need Each Other
Regardless of how one may feel about the other, we truly need each other. How many of you talk negatively about your neighbor, your family member, an organization, etc. but were helped by them? How many of you talked negatively about the church but went to the church for help? I am not saying this to make you feel bad but to make you think.
No matter how different we are and no matter the issues we don’t agree on, we need each other. I have hope that many of you will see that and be more appreciative and kind to people no matter who they are and what they believe. You never know where your help may come from, so always be mindful of others.
4. There is Always Beauty in the Storm
As I have mentioned above, I always try to see the positive in negative situations, and I do my best to focus on those positive things to get me through any storm. I see a lot of restoration and creativity taking place. I see people from all walks of life coming together to help one another. In the midst of this pandemic, relationships are being built, and hopefully, those relationships will continue once this is over. Those relationships have the potential to positively impact this world.
We are stronger together. I also see families being restored as they spend more time together. Out there, there is a child who does not completely understand but is thankful for the coronavirus because they are happy to spend more time with their family. What have you learned about your children during this time? What has your child learned about you, or are you so panicked and worried about what is going on that you haven’t spent much time doing something positive?
Do not fear. Focus on the positive. What do you want your child to remember about this time 20 years from now? Do you want them to remember how strong you were or how afraid you were? Use this time as an opportunity to build relationships and pick up new habits. Maybe you can implement a new tradition like family game night. When this is all over, keep those relationships close and build upon them.
5. Me Time
Speaking of relationships, how is your relationship with yourself? This is a tough one. I know many of us have issues within ourselves. Sometimes we run from our problems because they are too hard to face. Trust me, I did this for many years, but sometimes God puts us in a position where we have the opportunity to do nothing but deal with those issues. It is not a punishment. If you had a child, would you want them to deal with their issues, so they can move on and enjoy life?
You cannot run to the bar. It is closed. You do not have many places to go, so you may as well invest in your mental health. You are worth it. Focus on things you can control. You can gain control of your mind if you work towards it. When this is over, don’t come out of this as the same person or worse. It is hard dealing with self sometimes, but over the years, I have experienced how freeing it is. Don’t you want to genuinely smile again? I want you to. If you need help, reach out.
6. We Must Always Always Be Watchful
The Bible tells us to watch and pray. Do not get so caught up in your needs and in this situation that you neglect the bigger picture. There are still a lot of other things going on in this world. There is always someone out there looking for ways to manipulate the vulnerable. People will always be people.
Do not make a decision out of desperation. That one decision has the potential to put you and others back much further once we get through this. Be watchful of your neighbors, friends, family, and most importantly, politics. Ask God to always help you see things for what they really are. It may look good on the outside, but once you open it, it may not be what you were hoping for. Be watchful.
7. Trusting and Hoping in Something Bigger than You
We live in a world of uncertainty. People can be here today and be gone tomorrow. You can be at work today and laid off the next day. Where do you put your trust, hope, and faith? In yourself? In man? Maybe it is in your job, the government, God? It is hard putting your trust in Something you cannot see, but you see man, you see your job, and you see the government, and you are limited, so putting your trust in something you can see is futile. You may as well try God. It’s working for me.
I know this situation is scary, and my heart goes out to those who are sick or have lost a loved one. Use this time we are in to prepare, spend time with your family, be creative, and somehow help others whether that’s feeding someone or spreading love. Allow this to make you stronger and wiser, and always pray without ceasing.
Love,
Jaz ❤️❤️❤️
Loving
Yourself
Is
Beautiful
