Surviving a Pandemic

As I was reading Philippians this past week, a lot of what Paul wrote stuck with me personally, and how I am to conduct myself through this pandemic. In fact, as I have been reading my Bible in the last few months of COVID quarantine, I am seeing how much of God’s word equips us for this time. From what I have read, this seems to be one of the topics Paul was working so hard to teach people through his letters.

I want to encourage you that it is possible to have God’s peace and an absence of fear through all this uncertainty. In fact, we can even be joyful!!! Our emotions do not have to be tossed around like a wave at sea, crashing back and forth with every new report or scary unknown that comes our way. We can be grounded and unshakable on the solid rock of Jesus. I am going to explain how the scriptures below apply to my house, but honestly, God’s word speaks for itself, without my input. So if you just want to scrub this for the scriptures and skip my commentary, I think that’s a great thing! But for those that might feel confused by why I have chosen certain verses, I will use this space to elaborate.

As you read, I encourage you to pray and seek the Lord, asking Him what He is saying to you at this time.

Live as Citizens of Heaven
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
Philippians 1:27-2 8 NLT

UNITY: When I read my bible, there is a clear directive that stands out; to love God with all my heart and love my neighbor as myself Matthew 22:34-40 Mark 12:29-31 Leviticus 19:18. To me, that means all skin colors/tones, races, nationalities, backgrounds, politics, fashion choices, etc… I am to love them as I love myself. And if I’m being really honest, I really care about me. I care about my personal safety, as well as my physical and emotional well being. And as the body of Christ, I care when part of my body is hurting. I don’t walk around ignoring a festering wound on my body, I take care of it by seeking healing. Jesus’ desire is for unity within his body, His church (see Ephesians 4). I also have a lot of grace for myself. I understand that I am in-process, always learning/maturing, and I extend that grace to others. BUT what I personally –not speaking out of judgment, just strict rules for myself– cannot allow within my own heart it is the hate of others. And I don’t just mean strong hate, I include ‘dislike’, even dislike cannot stay in my heart. If I have it, I confess it and ask God to forgive me and create in me a clean heart to see people with the eyes of love and compassion that he sees them in.
ENEMY: My enemy is not other people or people in seats of authority (see verse below: Eph. 6:13). There is an unseen spiritual world at work around us and it is spreading disease, causing confusion/chaos, and it loves to use lies to fuel its hate. That is the enemy we are standing against through our prayers to God, and let me encourage you that we, who belong to Christ, have the victory! (Verse below: Phil. 2:9-11). If you still feel uneasy about who is more powerful, read the last few chapters of Revelations, spoiler: Jesus wins!! I have decided I won’t give my enemies the satisfaction of seeing me in fear, instead I am standing firm on the goodness of my God to remind them that they will be destroyed and the Kingdom of God will reign!

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:13

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2: 9-11 NLT

Now, here are some practical things I work to apply to my character and my everyday attitude. Honestly, it has been very hard through this pandemic, but it’s worth fighting for.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Philippians 2:14-16 NLT

But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Colossians 3:8-10

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:13-15

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
Philippians 3:1 NLT

I rejoice in the Lord to safeguard my faith!!

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9 NLT

“Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!” I have been singing that little snippet to myself all morning. MY THOUGHTS MATTER. WHAT I THINK ABOUT DIRECTLY AFFECTS EVERYTHING ABOUT ME. My outlook, my attitude, the way I respond to the pressures of the day, the way I treat people, the words that come out of my mouth, the decisions I make, ALL of it is shifted by where I fix my thoughts. “Fix my thoughts” also means what I choose to think about. And at the times I don’t have words or new thoughts to battle with, I use worship. Even if it’s as simple as singing, “Jesus loves me” over and over to drown out the wrong thinking.

In fact, early last week I was feeling really heavy with all the social unrest, fear I was seeing in friends, family, and community as the COVID numbers started climbing in my area, which of course led to new government restrictions. To top it off, my beloved father in law was having emergency surgery. I was NOT feeling peaceful, so I got prayerful!!! I started reading Psalm 91 out loud, claiming God’s goodness over all of it and decided I should read 92 as well… I am glad I listened to that little nudge in my heart. GAME CHANGER! I began praising God instead of fearing my circumstances. And everything changed. My heart filled with hope again, my faith was renewed, and I began seeing His victories again through answered prayer!

The last few verses below are my prayer for you the reader. Usually, I like to close by leading us through prayer together. But this time, I am asking the Lord to bless you. I am praying that you will have provision, protection, healing, hope, and joy! That you will be renewed and encouraged through the Holy Spirit to endure whatever we may face with bold confident faith. I rejoice that He is with his children and providing each of their needs. Thank you, God! Thank you, Jesus!

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
Philippians 4:19-20

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy
Philippians 1:3-4

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:9-11

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philippians 4:23