Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Do Not Worry About Tomorrow

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #4  Live TODAY

Listen to this blog post here https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Do-Not-Worry-About-Tomorrow-ecgsl5

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34 NKJV).

Let me just tell you, I can worry with the best of 'em. And Covid-19 has added so many new opportunities. Where will I buy JIF peanut butter? Who knew- no JIF?? Where will I buy toilet paper? Will Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory survive this economic down turn? (Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is my favorite.) Will I get Covid-19? Or my loved ones? Will we die? Recently my daughter-in-law, Lauren, shared with me a devotional from Pastor Rick. He shares about a research study that says Westerners worry about 14 hours a week. Unfortunately, some weeks, I'm pretty sure I double that. Here is the link for Pastor Rick's devotion: https://www.facebook.com/gracelcmsjax/videos/3124126047618891/

Ironically Covid-19 has forced me to change. Especially with my husband being in health care, and with all the front line news and research he is reading to stay current (and sharing with me-I have forbidden him from talking about Covid-19 after 8 p.m.), we are understandably overwhelmed. Early on I realized the "what ifs" were going to just crush me. I have to constantly remind myself of what Jesus commanded in the verse above, "Do not worry about tomorrow." When I start to worry, I have to "STOP" and think about today. Live today. Today is great.

As I was thinking about Holy Week and Jesus' journey to the cross, I realized Jesus totally lived His life on earth "not worrying about tomorrow".  His life was all about "live today"... Jesus lived the calling of this moment whether it was healing the sick, calming the storm, or teaching His disciples. "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist." (John 13:3-4). At this Passover Meal, Jesus proceeds with a servant heart to calmly (even knowing what was ahead) wash the disciples feet. Jesus continues with this warning and this promise, "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33  "That in me you may have peace"... Only in Jesus, do we truly have peace. Amidst this Covid-19 craziness, what a joy Holy Week is for us, to know that Jesus paid the price of our sins. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16).

Friends, as Jesus Christ warned, we have will have tribulation. Currently that tribulation is Covid-19. But Jesus also promised that He would overcome the world. This Holy Week revel in God's promise as we contemplate and celebrate Jesus' overcoming of the world!

In my bathroom I have this quote by Corrie ten Boom to remind myself to not worry:

Live today. What is God's calling to you this day? Do not worry about tomorrow. Live today!

Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree or two, each person sharing something for which s/he is thankful now. REPEAT. 

(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)

UP NEXT TIME:Tip #5 Keep your eyes on God👀