by David Price, Director of Small Groups, FUMC

Thomas Paine said in 1776 that “THESE are the times that try men’s souls.”  I suspect many of us would say that of the situation today.  We are frightened by what we are hearing on the news, confused by the different reports given, and frustrated by the disruption of our plans and personal lives.  This is a very human reaction to the current circumstance we find ourselves in, but we can rise above this.  As Christians, we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  His death on the Cross and subsequent defeat of death and Hades when he rose again on the third day is the source of our hope.  We must not lose sight of this hope during this troubling time – we need to keep our eyes on Him and His promise of eternal life to us.

Now, more than ever, we need to use our time wisely to further our relationship, understanding, and commitment to God.  This applies to those who are working, those who have been told to shelter at home, and those in hospital and nursing homes. This applies to all of us no matter what situation we find ourselves in, in these unsettling times.  

First and foremost, we should embrace prayer.  Prayer has a powerful effect on the one praying and helps to draw us closer to God.  It is a key part of our relationship with Him.  The list goes on and on but here are some possibilities:

• Pray your praise to and trust in God.
• Pray that he will strengthen your faith and trust in Him.
• Give thanks to Him for the blessings you have been given (taking comfort in what you have rather than stressing over what you don’t can bring peace to your own heart)
• Pray for the people directly affected (healing, comfort, medical help, God’s presence in their lives) 
• Pray for your family and your friends
• Pray for those sequestered at home.
• Pray for those that have to go out from home for work, critical supplies, or medical care.
• Pray for our first responders
• Pray for the medical community
• Pray for a cure
• Pray for our community, state and federal leaders.
• Take this opportunity to pray for those that haven’t accepted Jesus as their Savior yet – perhaps these troubling times may be the jolt they need to seek Him out and accept Him.
• Seek God’s help to stay focused on Him and listening for how to serve Him.

Stay anchored in God’s truth.  If you haven’t been in your Bible for a while, open it up and read in it.  If you regularly do that, don’t let today’s circumstances keep you from continuing to do it.  This is another way we can learn and draw closer to God.  Ask God to help you understand any difficult passages.  Perhaps you have a friend you can discuss passages with to help you both learn the lessons contained within them.  

God is not the only one we should be talking to, we need interaction with others.  This interaction can provide encouragement, help, guidance, sympathy, empathy, and opportunity to give witness of your faith in Jesus.  “Social Distancing” doesn’t mean ignoring others.  Whether you are at work, going through a drive through for something, or picking up critical supplies – offer a positive word to those you encounter.  Let them see Jesus in you and hear Him in your words.  If you are secluded, then take advantage of the time to talk with anyone you are in seclusion with.  But don’t stop there.  There are many ways to communicate in today’s world.  Social media offers many opportunities to share words, pictures, and video, but sometimes the more individual approach of an e-mail or phone call can be more meaningful.  Reach out to family and friends.  Reconnect with those you haven’t talked to for a while.  Share a cup of coffee with an old friend over the telephone.  This may be the time for reconciliation with someone you had a falling out with in the past.  In all of this, keep in mind that encouragement, help, guidance, sympathy, empathy, and opportunity to give witness of faith in Jesus goes both ways.  Actively listen to others as well.  This covers the range of opportunities from personal interactive communications, to social media postings, to listening to applicable messages such as public announcements and church services on-line, on radio, or on TV.

When we are at home, rather than binge watching TV or movies, playing games, complaining about the situation, or just sitting around there are better options for our time.  We already looked at prayer, reading God’s word, and communicating with others, but what about service to others from home.  The possibilities are many if we just look for them.

• We have money saved for that trip we just cancelled, can we find a charity that would provide effective assistance to those in need during this time of crisis.
• Perhaps one of these charities has an opportunity to work from home to address the current situation.
• Maybe we need to set up a calling tree for those sheltering at home as a safety check on them.
• How about reading a book to a child over a video or audio link?
• Perhaps find a way to make yourself available to answer questions relating to applying a specific skill you have.

Most of us have an innate need to stay busy.  The suggestions above are more mental than physical, but don’t neglect the physical. Try to find ways to stimulate physical activity as well within whatever physical limitations you have and the confines you find yourself in.  Even shifting from sitting to standing back to sitting can be a help.

God, most holy and loving Father, we praise you and give thanks to you for all that we are and have.  We ask your hand upon us in these troubling times.  We pray for help and guidance for both ourselves and others.  We ask you to help us to draw closer to you through our prayers, your word, our witness to others, and our service.  We seek your will for us and freely confess that without you we can not do it.  It is through your 

Son, Jesus that we have hope, for on our own we were lost but through Him we have been saved.   It is in that hope that we come before you with this prayer.  AMEN