Top 10 Ways to Have Sustainable Peace During a Pandemic
by Chicago Church of Christ Women's Ministry Leadership Team
(Marci Arneson, Xin Batino, Nancy Dawson, Sharon Gauthier, Christie Larr, Barbara Marbury, Becca Peele, Jill Perez, Patty Simmons, and Ionela Testa)
Most of us around the world are under direction from our governments to stay at home to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But how do we maintain and sustain our peace during this difficult time? This list was written by women’s ministry center leaders from the Chicago Church of Christ to encourage each other and the other women on the church staff.
We’ll start with number 10.
#10 Have a morning routine. Psalm 143:8
Sometimes, we have no idea what the day will bring, but we can decide how our day starts. Choose to start with peace. Psalm 143:8 says: Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
#9 Cut yourself and those you live with some slack. Philippians 4:5 and Matthew 22:39
The current situation is stressful for everyone; so we shouldn’t be surprised if we feel a bit frazzled or those around us are on edge. Take it easy on yourself and your family. Philippians 4:5 says: Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Matthew 22:39: Love your neighbor as yourself.
#8 Exercise. Go for a walk and find joy in God’s creation. 1 Timothy 4:8 and Psalm 96:11-12
Jesus walked everywhere! Let’s imitate Him. Find a way to workout--light yoga, YouTube calorie-burning classes, a walk in nature, etc. It is amazing the difference a little exercise makes. 1 Timothy 4:8: For physical training is of some value… Psalm 96:11-12: Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy…
#7 Share your thoughts with God. 1 Peter 5:7
Take time to share what you are thinking with God often. Talk to Him about your fears, your confusion, your joy, your pain. 1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
#6 Think of God’s truth. Not your perceived truth. Philippians 4:4-9
What’s “true” can get jumbled when we’re in times of anxiety or confusion. As disciples of Jesus, let’s fill our minds with God’s truth, which we find in His word. Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever in noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
#5 Readjust your focus throughout the day as needed. Hebrews 12:1-3
Pay attention to what you fix your eyes on. Set good limits with screen time, social media and news. Instead of filling our minds with bad news, let’s intentionally look for the good news that’s all around us! God is still moving in amazing ways! Hebrews 12: 1b-2: And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
#4 Remind yourself there is a time for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Time can be so weird these days. Instead of looking to the clock, check in with yourself to see what time it is. Is it time to laugh? Then laugh. Is it time to cry? Then cry. Is it time to work? Then work. Is it time to dance? Then dance. Get out of your head and take inventory of how you are feeling throughout the day. Ecclesiastes 3:1,4, 5b: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to weep a time to laugh, a time to mourn a time to dance, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. (social distancing was even in the Bible!)
#3 Flood your mind with good news. Spend time in the Bible. Psalms 19:8
It doesn’t take much to hear and see bad news these days. But Jesus came to bring GOOD NEWS! God’s word will build our faith. It will help us center our thoughts and bring us joy that does not depend on external circumstances. Psalm 19:8: The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
#2 Get rest…guilt free. Mark 6:31
Jesus directed his disciples to go away and get some rest. (In Mark 6:31, he tells them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”) Even though we’re home 24 hours a day, we still need to set aside time when our minds can go blank, we close our eyes and just rest. If anyone complains, you can wear a “Do Not Disturb” sign with Mark 6:31 on it. Haha! But seriously...
#1.5 Brush your teeth! (There's got to be a scripture about this somewhere!)
There are some things we may let slide when we’re in quarantine; like we’ve noticed several brothers have stopped shaving and started growing “quarantine beards.” But for the love of God and those in your home, brush your teeth! We recommend 2x daily! Lol!
#1 Do something fun everyday with your kids, spouse or something you like doing. Deuteronomy 12:7
Prayerfully if we’re in quarantine, we’re “locked in” with the people we most enjoy being with. So let’s take this time and have fun with our family. Do you like board games? Watching movies? Telling jokes? Playing outside? Whatever it is, let’s enjoy our time together while we have it. Deuteronomy 12:7: There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.
We pray that these tips will bring a smile to your face and peace to your heart as we go through this pandemic. Maybe you even want to come up with 10 tips of your own. Stay safe and well!