What the Pandemic Can Teach Us ~ Guest Post by Deborah Montgomery

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

Source

I wanted to share why I am feeling optimistic during this time of great uncertainty and fear and why I think many good things can come out of this if we pay attention to what the Lord is trying to say to us.

Now, I do not think the Lord caused this pandemic. We live in a broken world and bad things happen when things are broken. We have a very real enemy who loves to kill and to destroy. But the Lord can use what was meant for evil for our good.

Of course, I don’t want in any way to minimize the very real struggles that are going on out there. I don’t want what I’m going to say to sound insensitive to those burdened with sickness, financial insecurity, stress, and isolation.

But I still feel that there is great reason for hope. Here are some of the good things I think can come out of this and we can do.

Trust in the One Who is in control of all things.

Even though we know better, we usually act as if we were in control of our lives and circumstances. We plan and schedule and make lists, and then we go out and try and make things happen. This pandemic is another reminder that there is very little in this life that we can actually control. 

But how comforting to know that the One Who created us has all things in His Hands. We can trust Him. It is a relief to let go of the reins and trust the One Who cares for us and knows the big picture.

Yes, we wash our hands and practice social distancing and act prudently. We don’t shirk our responsibilities and the things that we can do. But we let go of our planning and worrying. We rest.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

 Psalm 20:7

Spend more time in prayer and in God’s Word.

Nothing drives us to our knees faster than hard circumstances. After we realize, yet again, that we are not in control, we pray to the One Who is.

Focused, intentional prayer can be hard work. I found that during the first week of isolating at home I was too distracted to pray much. Not really anxious, but scattered. Everything was happening so fast it was hard to settle down. It was easier to sit and distract myself with Instagram, for example. 

But prayer takes us out of ourselves. It grounds us. It causes us to focus on the Lord and His great mercies that are new every morning. It keeps us focused on our neighbors’ needs as we bring each one before our Heavenly Father. It reminds us of our blessings. It is powerful and changes things. It changes us.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6,7

Reading Scripture is calming. Encouraging. Life-giving. I have to remind myself to open my Bible and not my news feed. One is life-giving, the other can be fear-inducing.

Love our neighbors better.

People are finding new ways to love their neighbors during this pandemic. Calling and checking on each other. Dropping off groceries. Collecting food to donate to those less fortunate. Sewing face masks. Singing out of balconies to cheer each other up. Allowing seniors to shop before everyone else is allowed in the stores.

Even though we have to keep apart, there are so many ways we can love and encourage each other. We’re all in this together, and it’s heartwarming to see stories of neighbors caring for neighbors.

Let’s not forget each other when we’re on the other side of this.

Love our family better.

I know from talking with moms of young children in my church that home life is chaotic at the moment as everyone struggles to find new routines and new ways of living at home together 24/7. Family life can get potentially worse if we spend our time fighting with each other out of frustration. I pray that a spirit of peace and forgiveness and tolerance will descend on families who find themselves in this situation.

I pray we would all feel a real appreciation and deep love for those with whom we live. How when everything else is stripped away we realize that our loved ones at home are more important than anything else. Petty arguments and disagreements fall away as we realize that all we have is each other. An appreciation of sitting down and eating together. The family dinner has almost disappeared in many American homes. What a blessing to everyone if we will all realize the gift of slowing down, looking into each others’ eyes, and listening! Of sharing a simple meal together. We’ve missed so much!

Create a simpler life.

This winter I have been experimenting with putting on false eyelashes. It’s been both fun and frustrating and I’ve probably spent way too much time fussing over this. There’s nothing wrong with this, or with many of the little “fun” things we do day by day. But all of a sudden, false eyelashes are the last thing on my mind, and seem rather silly at this point.

Even though I have lots of time to practice with them now, it seems much more important to call a loved one or to make a batch of homemade soup. Extraneous things become just that.  Life becomes simpler; the important becomes clear.

I feel like I’m thinking like a homesteader. What can I use up in my pantry? How can I make food stretch further? What can I substitute for ingredients I don’t have on hand? I’m finding myself being much more creative and less wasteful and it feels good. We are finding out that we can improvise, cut back, and live much more simply than we have.

Our Western culture is awash in materialism. And I am, myself, much more than I’m willing to admit. Too many material things become a burden and a distraction.

Most people’s lives are so busy. No one has time to stop and smell the proverbial rose. To take a deep breath and think about what really matters. To have margin in their lives. Being forced to slow down, to have our calendars cleared, strips away the unimportant and lets the best things shine forth.

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I don’t think all these good things will automatically happen because of this pandemic. We need to purpose to look for the good. To not give way to fear. To not go back to business as usual when this is all over. To learn the lessons that we can. To not waste the suffering.

Will we learn? Will we grow? We will come through this changed for the better? I’m preaching to myself here. Lord, teach us what you have for us in this. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. And thank You that You never leave nor forsake us. Amen.

Bio:  Deborah Montgomery is a full-time homemaker. She has been married for 39 years to Scott and is mom to three children, whom she homeschooled, and grandma to one darling grandson. She has written a book entitled Help for Depression and mentors young moms in her church. She writes at The Beautiful Matters.

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I hope you can take some time to visit Deborah's blog where you will find so much that is beautiful, uplifting, and comforting.  I so enjoyed the thoughts she shared with us today, along with all of the other wonderful, inspired posts that have been coming in.  I trust each post is a blessing to you, too, and helping to keep your spirits up!

Amazing God ~ Triumphant Quartet

Stand firm in your faith, and keep praying!