Who is in Control?

The other day I tried to buy hand sanitizer for an  event, and there was none.  Anywhere.  I searched several stores and then I went online.  When I had searched all over the web, I started to get a little panicky.  You see, I do not like germs, and the current virus situation has me a bit on edge.

So many others, too.  Fights over toilet paper and bottled water are breaking out.

I heard the other day that we are all freaking out over a lack of control.  We are trying to stock up on basic necessities, because we want to feel like we have some sense of control over the global pandemic.  "If I get sick, at least I'll have plenty of toilet paper," you may have thought subconsciously.  It's a bit of a #firstworldproblems situation.  If you've never been on a mission trip to a 2/3rds world country, then you may not have seen first hand that a majority of the world lives without basic necessities every day. Many don't have clean drinking water.  They don't have toilets.  They may not have access to or money for food every day.  People in my own county cannot always afford food.  So, I begin by reminding us to be thankful for how blessed we are.  If we have to live a few weeks without toilet paper, we'll figure it out.

Second, let's remember Who is in control.  When we feel out of control, as so many of us do, we can either sink into anxiety, worry, and panic, or we can turn to the Creator of the Universe.  We can turn to the One who remains in control when we feel out of it.

My prayer this week is that God would work redemptively amidst the chaos we are experiencing.  As we have seen Him do so many times, God will work good out of the most challenging situations.  Will you join me in praying that God will work redemptively through us as we navigate this situation and that we would be open to helping others and doing His work through it all?

Lastly, let's stay calm.  Here are a few ideas to keep your spirits lifted during this stressful time.  Comment below with some of your own ideas...

Pray
Watch a sermon online
Go for a walk (exercise is great for stress!)
Google photos of calm places (my favorite are photos of the ocean)
Listen to music or calming sounds (I love to listen to the sound of rain or thunderstorms on apps)
calm.com  (on of my fav go-to sights for a few minutes of calm)
Bake something yummy
Call the older adults in your life (they may be lonely and in need of your voice)
Hug your family and play a game together
Have a neighborhood block party (as long as you stay 6 feet away from each other, haha)
Drink some tea

As they say..."Keep Calm and Carry On."

As God says:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6-7