COVID-19 Changes: What is Most Important Now?

My now blank calendar with all events crossed off taunts me. Voided supermarket shelves stand defiantly in a land of plenty. Many common services shut down this week and even health care facilities require patients to wait in their cars until they are allowed in for the appointments.

Health and government officials forbid eating out, except for take out, and Amazon ordered deliveries to cease except for medications and essentials. In many sectors, employers terminate the staff who can’t work from home, at least temporarily. California announced that people can only go out of their homes for gas, food, and health care. If we can go in public, we must exercise the 6-foot social distancing rule.

I think we are in the midst of some massive social changes that will make our ordinary lives look very different when the COVID-19 outbreak comes to a halt. Many people confess great fear over these events and others see the mandated changes as a blessing. Admittedly, the modern world keeps many of us overworked, over-committed, malnourished, and under-rested. We spend the “free time” we have with our screen-based devices or entertainment, and, frequently, meaningful relationships with our loved ones suffer.

Some voices on social media, news channels and churches are urging us to actively make this enforced slowdown a time to reconnect with family and friends in a deeper way. I think this will go a long way in mutually developing resilience which will equip us for navigating well this uncharted territory. Here are a few suggestions.

Schedule date time and take turns coming up with creative activities which can be done from home or virtually.
Consider long walks in which you can talk more freely about how you are handling the situation and other issues you haven’t made space for in your conversations.
Listen to each other–really listen–to hear each other’s heart and provide encouragement.
Learn to express your feelings in a healthy way about something that has hurt you. Keep talking to work through the pain to resolution.
Read a book together and discuss the ideas that stir you.
Practice forgiveness and showing appreciation.
Brainstorm ways you can generate some revenue as a family if your income has plummeted.
Explore ways you might serve others who are having a hard time.
Look for God’s unexpected blessings and take time to soak in His love for you.

In any situation, but especially in trials, we have a choice. We can let the events of the world take us down and destroy us, or we can look to God and determine to discover how to trust Him more. You are not alone, and there are many people who can stand with you, pray for you and provide wisdom. Life will look different on the other side, and we have the opportunity to let this experience bring out our better selves. It will be worth the effort.

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2

What is one positive change that you can see for your personal situation in the midst of the ever-changing CornonaVirus news? Please share so we can rejoice with you.