A prominent person in my business circle referred to her period of downtime when she was unable to work due to a physical condition, a divine time-out.  I couldn’t help but relate that to our current national circumstances.

Sometimes God has to get our attention.  Natural disasters, pandemics, stock market crashes, all have a good side.  They stop us long enough to make us consider the reality of our human condition.  Ultimately, we are not in charge.  And we will all die someday.  

Even for those of us who believe in God and already recognize our finiteness, it is a call to examine ourselves.  Trouble, hardship, loss, and suffering can purify us.  It helps us stop, check our priorities, and repent.  It gives us a new start. 

 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The good figs represent the exiles I sent from Judah to the land of the Babylonians.  I will watch over and care for them, and I will bring them back here again. I will build them up and not tear them down. I will plant them and not uproot them.  I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.”  Jeremiah 24:5-7 

These people had experienced  great tragedy.  They had lost everything, including their homes and freedoms.  Yet in that loss and pain, they turned to God and chose to follow him wholeheartedly.  BTW, this was a work of God in their hearts.  He enables us to see him and follow him.  He changes our hearts.

“To find hope through suffering, I cannot be tied to a specific outcome. My hope is not that my situation will turn out a certain way, or that God will give me exactly what I want, but rather that God will always do what’s best for me. It is a living hope in a Savior who loves me, not in an outcome I feel entitled to. I need to trust that God wouldn’t allow anything that isn’t best for me, and that everything in my life is put there for my good (Romans 8:28). God’s love has been poured into me, and all of Scripture proclaims that love. The cross displays it and the Holy Spirit seals it.”  – https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/suffering-will-always-change-you. 

This was written by a woman who has been crippled by polio since childhood, lost an infant son, went thru divorce, and now has post-polio syndrome.  

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 
 And endurance develops strength of character, 
and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. 
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.“  Romans 5:3-5 

““I can rejoice in my suffering, knowing God is using it to produce in me what I could not produce in myself.”” – https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/suffering-will-always-change-you

During this time-out, what are we thinking about?  Do we allow fearful thoughts to spawn dread, doom, and sadness?  Or are we pushing out those thoughts with affirmations of trust in our good God who also suffered, who understands us and is walking with us through this?  Are we basing our happiness on here and now comfort or lack thereof?  Or are we anticipating the happiness to come in a world remade?  Are we concentrating on our own well being?  Or are we also looking out for the vulnerable and lonely? 

Avoid the SWAMP. Monitor your thoughts and attitudes.  Kick out these negatives.

Self-medicating with excess shopping, food, drink, or entertainment
Worrying about the future, but not taking steps to make it better  
Angry reactions-  hurtful words and negative attitudes
Me first grabbing without regard for others
‘Poor me’ complaining – forgetting to be grateful for what we do have

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Don’t think you’re better than you really are.
Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.  (self-examination)
We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 
Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.  
When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. 
Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.  
Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.  
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”  Romans 12:2,3,5, 9-16

I decided to write a list of all the positive things we can do while at home.  It turned out the beginning letters spelled CLOSER.  Doing these things bring us closer to God and closer to each other.  The worst circumstances can open the door to the best blessings!

CLOSER     Positive things to do while we’re at home

Clean out closets, purge.  Deep clean. 
Clean your heart- Admit wrongs, ask God’s forgiveness.  Forgive others.
Communicate-  Call, send texts, emails, cards.  Don’t isolate your heart.
Catch up on neglected projects
Cheer someone else
Create- often the best work is created while suffering loss
Cook healthy
Learn new things- keep your brain active
Lighten someone’s burden
Limit negative input- don’t spend all your time watching the news or fb
Look back- remember how God has taken care of you in the past.  Look at family photos!
Offer to get groceries for older folks or overwhelmed moms
Offer babysitting help if allowed in your area
Organize – bring order to your home for more peace and efficiency  
Outdoor time – fresh air clears the mind.  Soak in some sunshine. Work in the yard.  Walk.
Share what you have with someone who needs it- love, time, food, TP?, money? 
Seek God- he is waiting for you to come close
Spend time seriously praying for the sick, those who care for the sick, for governments and individuals to turn to God
Spend time planning what you’ll do when better times come
Spend time praising God even when things are hard
Evaluate what needs to change.  Priorities in time, money, relationships
Read God’s Word and spiritually uplifting material.  His promises give us hope!
Refresh yourself and others- savor a cup of coffee, enjoy a phone conversation
Repent of wrong attitudes, and priorities
Resolve to obey God in little and big ways

Closer to God.  Closer to each other.  Why not pick 3-4 of these suggestions and do them today?

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