My wife, Amanda, issued a PSA on Facebook this week that said: "Introverts, check on your extroverted friends, they may not be ok."Amanda's post made me laugh. These days of self-quarantine can be very stretching, especially for the extroverts among us!
But times of social distancing do not have to be miserable. In fact, I think they are a great opportunity!
There are 7 practices we learn from the Bible to help us make the most of our days.
1. Be thankful.
Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."
I hope you will try entering each day by giving thanks. I have begun starting my day by writing 3 things I am thankful for in my journal. It's difficult to be down when you consider all the blessings you have in your life!
2. Monitoring my brain input.
It makes a difference what we put into our minds. The Apostle Paul encouraged Christians to consider the same thing almost 2,000 years ago. Philippians 4:8 says, "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."
I always thought I could filter out the negative coming into my mind. But the reality is our minds are powerful computers retaining more information than we realize. This information will impact the choices we make during the day. That's why it is so much better to control the flow of info coming into your mind.
Instead of the TV news we can read something positive.
Call an encouraging friend who you haven't talked to in awhile.
If you don't have an encouraging friend, be the encouraging friend to someone else.
Limit the negative media coming into your mind. Do not allow commentators to manipulate your emotions and cause panic and fear to overwhelm you.
3. Saving and Investing Money.
Proverbs 27:23-24 tells us to: "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations."
Unless you're a farmer, you probably don't have flocks or herds to know the condition of, but this verse is referencing the equivalent of our bank accounts today. It's always wise to track and budget what we are spending. As Andy Stanley says, "You best be knowin' where your money be goin'!"
Financial advisors will tell you that in times of crisis, cash is king. Plus, it's always wise to save for a rainy day because it will rain!
The next few weeks and months may be very challenging for a lot of people in our nation and world. Tracking what is coming in and out, as well as putting our money to work for the future, is a wise thing to do. (Plus, there are some really great stock prices right now!)
1 Timothy 6:17 reads, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
If you receive a stimulus check from the government, don't give in to the temptation to spend it all. Give some to help others, save some to prepare for the future, and spend the rest to cover needs (or even wishes). God does provide for our enjoyment!
4. Be a Realistic Optimist.
These are going to be difficult months ahead for our nation. I do not know exactly what is going to happen, but I know it's going to be challenging. However, I also believe God can and will bring good out of every situation. A set back is actually a set up when we follow God.
Jesus told His followers to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33) The reference to "all these things" in this verse refers to our basic needs like clothing and food. My faith in God as I pursue Him allows me to be optimistic about the future, but also realistic that there will be difficult days ahead.
5. Keep a regular routine.
Proverbs 24:33-34 teaches, "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man."
Keeping a daily routine helps your mental and physical health. Prisoner of war survivors will attest to the fact that keeping a schedule in captivity was a critical factor for their survival. Please understand, I am not comparing social distancing to a POW camp, but the principle still applies. As tempting as it may be to sleep in and spend every day in your pajamas, it's so much better for you to get up and get going. Make your bed. Clean the house. Work in the yard. It will make you feel so much better!
6. Be generous.
Proverbs 11:25 teaches us: "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
It's been inspiring to see so many people and churches who are reaching out to help others in need during this pandemic. I don't know what your situation is, but even when we aren't facing a pandemic, it's always a good thing to be generous.
7. Praying daily.
God is the only One who can truly make a difference for our nation and the world. He is the One who can guide us through this pandemic. God is the One who can provide us with what we need. And it is through prayer we can take our anxiety to Him and be filled with His peace.
It's also through prayer we can repent and turn to God. While I don't pretend to fully understand God's purposes through this pandemic, I believe this is a time for us to humble ourselves and submit to Him. Our Heavenly Father is the only One who can truly heal our land.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases.
(Psalm 103:2-3)
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