Maybe you’re like me, and you don’t really know how to feel right now with everything swirling around us in our world. In the same breath, I seem to be overreacting and underreacting. I’m reading lots of articles and lots of opinions. There’s a lot of unknowns. Lot of questions. Lots of fear. Lots of anxiety.

What in the world are we supposed to do when things are so chaotic? When things change hourly? When we don’t know what’s going to happen? When we’re worried about our jobs, our families, our needs, and our communities?

 

Four Ways We Can Respond to COVID-19

1. Take a deep breath and trust God. 

Jerry wrote a great blog about how to find peace in times of trouble. Check it out here. It’s a great reminder that God is in control, and that He hasn’t been surprised by any of the things going on. We might not know how to feel, but He knows exactly what is going on in our head, heart, and world. Since this is the case, we can be still.

Go ahead, take a deep breath. Breathe in. Breathe out.

God’s got this. He’s in control. He was in control yesterday, He is today, and He will be tomorrow. We don’t have to figure everything out. We don’t even have to understand fully everything that is happening. We just have to trust Him with all of our heart.

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 

Do you trust Him?

2. Be grace-filled.

I forgot to do some things today. I missed an email response. I missed checking in on someone. I missed following up on something I said I would. And each time, people were quick to extend grace. I'm thankful.

It reminded me, we're all in this boat together. We have the same questions and are dealing with similar things. Why not cut each other some slack and be grace-filled? We're going to make mistakes! It's okay. Remember that people are doing their best. They are figuring things out too. You’re likely going to need grace extended to you, and you can start by extending grace to those around you.  And remember. You. Are. Not. Alone.

3. Prioritize your spiritual life.

Have you ever found yourself making an excuse about your spiritual life? Things like “I don’t have time” or “I’m never home.”

Enter COVID-19.

Right now, you have the opportunity to approach your spiritual life in a different way than you ever have before. And maybe you’re finding yourself with more, or different, time on your hands. So, make sure to participate in online church. We’ll be streaming our service on our Facebook Page at 11am on Sunday, and we’ll post it on our website as well. Make sure you participate in the Ridge Reading Challenge leading up to Easter. Check out our Facebook group, where we’ll post reading schedules and blogs for the reading challenge. You can also check in on people digitally (just make sure to get dressed before you FaceTime someone). 

4. Do something.

But, Adam! I can’t even shake my neighbor’s hand!

There are actually a lot of things you can do, even though it might not feel like it right now. Some of them you can even do right where you are.

Pray.

Pray for your health. Pray for your worries. Pray for your situation. Pray for your neighbors…and family…and friends. Pray for The Ridge. Pray for your community. Pray for Indiana. Pray for the country. Pray for the world. Pray for God to move. Pray.

Encourage someone.

There’s a lot of negativity out there. And, as your being grace-filled, why not send someone a text or mail someone a card to let them know you appreciate them. It could very well make their day.

Give.

Finances are going to change drastically because of COVID-19. The Ridge included. We care about doing whatever it takes to reach our community for Christ, and we’re actively exploring ways we can come alongside people in need. We are also already planning on being good stewards and pausing any unnecessary spending. If you’ve never given online before, I’d encourage you to do so. It can make a big impact. You can do so by visiting theridge.org/give. Our circumstances have changed, but the vision to do whatever it takes hasn’t. And this sure does feel like a “whatever it takes” type of moment.

Be a good neighbor.

What would it look like for you to help someone? What would it look like for you to be a good neighbor? Maybe that means staying home! Maybe that means getting groceries for someone, or even just checking in on them. We’re actually working on some ways we can help in our community, so be on the lookout for additional ways you can be a good neighbor over the next couple of weeks. 

We really do have a unique opportunity to love each other and our community well. Even in the midst of all of the chaos, I'm excited about what God is going to do. There is still work to be done, there are still needs to be met, there are still people who need to know Jesus.

Whatever it takes,

Adam