Fear and worry can lead to great anxiety, especially in times like these. In "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON" we read about how inner calmness breeds further contentment and peace. May you feel God's perfect peace this week in spite of what may be going on around you.
Blessings,
Jan
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Today's Devotional:
"KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON"
by
Jan Andersen
The phrase "Keep Calm and Carry On" comes from a set of British motivational posters from 1939 in preparation for World War II. Ironically, most of the nearly 2.5 million Keep Calm posters were never used and were later destroyed. But the phrase has been resurrected and used on numerous products and in various memes.
Keeping calm in daily life can be difficult. Sometimes there are things going on around us in this turbulent world that make us very fearful. The obvious example right now is the fear over the COVID-19 pandemic. It can cause fear of contracting the virus and dying, or fear of passing it on to someone else and causing their suffering or death. There are also secondary losses with this pandemic, such as loss of income during temporary layoffs or permanent loss of jobs, loss of contact in person with those we love especially those who are suffering or dying and now alone due to restrictions on visitations, inability to buy the things we normally use due to public fear and hoarding, children’s loss of school time affecting their academics and also extra curricular things including proms, graduations and so forth. Then there are tertiary affects as well, as people start to feel these losses that are out of their control, there will be some who start to exert excessive control over other people or things, become abusive to their spouses or family members, or who seek to self-soothe through maladaptive dependancies or sink into addictions. How can we possibly keep calm and carry on?
Having faith and trust in our loving God brings us a calming peace in the midst of trials. Throughout the day refocus on God and His grace instead of the news, and try these suggestions:
1. We can pray (that is us speaking to God): pray for Him to help us remain calm in the storm; pray for our health and others’ health as well; pray for people to take this seriously but also not to over-react and hoard things; pray for those who make decisions on a larger scale that can affect others; pray for strengthened faith in believers as well as making this an opportunity to reach new souls.
2. We can meditate (that is us listening to God): read His words in the Bible; read the Bible notes or a commentary on it to help guide your thoughts; do some self Bible studies from a book or on line; listen to sermons on line.
3. We can take action: follow health guidelines and any restrictions in your area; call/e-mail/text/send cards to those who could use contact or just because you can; ask neighbors if they need help with anything you can do for them - house, yard, groceries etc.; volunteer where there is need - hospital, food bank, wherever and however you might still be allowed; make a list of things for which you are grateful; share positive messages on social media. I’m sure you can think of more things as well.
The important thing for us is to turn to God and trust in Him to work all things for good for us, who love Him. In letting go and turning to Him for perfect peace, we can carry on calmly in steadfast trust in His loving arms. May it be a good witness of our faith and contagious to others.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV) You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
Dear Lord in heaven, have mercy on us. Help us to remain faithful and to put our full trust in you in spite of what happens in this world. Forgive us where we falter. Help us to keep calm and carry on in perfect peace, witnessing your love to all those around us. Keep our thoughts and our eyes fixed on you. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
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Song:
I HAVE THIS HOPE
Tenth Avenue North
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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Writing Staff of
Women's Focus Ministries.
Blog Writers
Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward, Cathy Friberg,
Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustafa
Occasional Contributors
Kathy Bireley, Lynda Kinnard,
Kathy Bireley, Lynda Kinnard,
Terri Baker, Beverley Napier,
Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp
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