How should we feel in the Midst of Quarantine?

Wild times we’re living in huh? In the last 2 months, the Coronavirus Covid-19 Pandemic has swept the world and upended daily life as we know it. As of today, 185 countries have reported cases (fyi there are 195), over 1.6 million people have contracted the virus, and over 98 thousand deaths have been reported, and those numbers are growing by the hour.* But how are we as Christians supposed to feel about this, how should we process these drastic changes, and what can we do to make the most of the situation we find ourselves in? I have some thoughts on that and would like to share them with you here. This list is not exhaustive and is simply provided in hope to get you thinking and talking about this in a meaningful way. 

1. Grieve over what the virus is doing. No matter what our culture tries to tell you, death is the most unnatural thing in the world. We were not created to die, and the only reason we do so is because of sin. Jesus cried over the death of Lazarus because of the evil that it is, even when He knew exactly what He was about to do just moments later in bringing Lazarus back to life. Now remember, as Christians, we are not to grieve as those “who have no hope” but that is not the same as don’t grieve.
2. Mourn the life you once had. Are you an avid sports fan who was looking forward to March Madness, the playoffs in both Hockey and Basketball, and the start of Baseball (or any spring sport for that matter)? Are you a music fan who’s had several shows canceled? Are you a senior in high school or college who no longer gets to have a typical graduation ceremony? Did you have a trip cut short/canceled or an important life event postponed? Have you lost your job due to no fault of your own, had your hours cut, or are being asked to work from home for the first time ever? Are you someone whose main way of catching up with friends/family was to grab coffee/dinner/drinks? Are you no longer able to gather in person for corporate worship with your church body? Are you considered an essential worker and being asked to face the virus head on or indirectly? Whatever your situation, your life has most likely been affected in some way, and I think it’s perfectly okay to mourn those things, healthy even.
3. Put this into perspective. I think there are 2 main reasons why we are seeing such drastic measures being put in place to try and fight this disease. The first is the fear of the unknown in that modern medicine has yet to provide an effective vaccine and won’t for some time, and the second being the global nature of the spread. If this virus were only being found in third world countries or were something that could be fought with a medicine or vaccine we already have, we probably wouldn’t of even heard about it, at least not the extent of it being the only thing covered on the news for the last month and a half. If the United States and European healthcare systems and governments are being strained this much, think about the poorest countries of the world where thousands of people a day are dying of already preventable diseases, or the closest hospital is hundreds of miles away. Be grateful you live in a country that can afford to have this kind of response and pray for those who don’t. (Perhaps also give if you are able, I would recommend a great way called DonorSee. Found here)
4. Use the newfound time. Whether you’re working from home and no longer have a commute, doing your schooling online, been laid off with no such thing as a job market right now, or are simply unable to take part in the normal activities you would on your days/evenings off, you have been gifted with more time than ever and the question is how are you going to use it? It would be so easy to fill the time with Netflix or whatever, and it’s not wrong to do that for some of the time, but this is the perfect opportunity to form those good habits you’ve been putting off for so long or at one time had and lost. Here are things I’ve been working on to give you some ideas: Daily Scripture Reading and Prayer, Daily Exercise, Daily Journaling, Reading, Drinking 100 ounces of water a day. Whatever you’ve wanted to take on and form a habit doing, now is the time to do so. The hope is then when life returns to “normal” these habits will be such a part of your life you then can’t live without them!
5. Make use of Technology. Look, just because we’re unable to physically see our friends and family right now, it doesn’t mean we can’t connect with them in a meaningful way. You can still call/video chat/text with people. You can still post on social media. I am sure your church is doing some sort of livestream service, zoom bible studies, etc. And realize that yes, while this is not the same and leaves much to be desired, allow it to fill your heart with hope and anticipation of the next time you do get to connect physically.
6. Love your neighbor. Think of the elderly in your neighborhood who are probably very lonely, the parents who now have their children home 24/7 (and particularly those of children with special needs who no longer have access to some of their much needed services), the extremely extroverted friend who’s probably never spent so much time at home, and many others, are there ways you could serve them? Perhaps by giving them a call just to check in or offering to get their groceries and leave them on the doorstep, maybe you could mow their lawn for them. There are still ways to love and serve those around us, so think and pray on that and just do something.
7. Do something every day that brings you joy. We need a reason to smile more than ever in this time, and so whatever it is, listening to your favorite album, reading a book, taking a walk, calling a friend, playing a game, watching a show, etc, do at least one thing every day that you know is going to help your heart and mind relax and smile. 
8. Take Heart. No matter what this virus ends up doing, how many lives it ends up taking, how much the economy falls apart, we as Christians can hold on to the hope that Christ is the one in control of it all, and this virus is a reminder of that. Like the Tower of Siloam in the book of Luke or any other natural disaster, this virus is at minimum serving as yet another call to repentance and we should take heed. We can also take heart that one day, all things will be made new and all the effects of sin will be wiped away because of the one who came, lived, died and resurrected. Easter is coming friends, and because of that we can find hope and joy in the midst of this longstanding trial.

Thanks for reading and I hope you found something in here to be helpful as you look to process and make the most of this unprecedented situation. Would love to hear your thoughts if you have any! 

*All relevant information was found from the John Hopkins interactive Coronavirus map online.