Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Good Friday Dancing

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #5 Keep Your Eyes on God
Listen to this blog post here https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Though-the-Covid-19-Storm-Good-Friday-Dancing-Keep-Your-Eyes-on-God-eck937


🎶"Dance then wherever you may be. I am the Lord of the dance said He." 🎶

I danced with all my heart- twirling and whirling around as I sang at the top of my 12-year- old lungs. 

"Shame on you." My beloved Grandma stopped me in my tracks, "We don't dance on Good Friday." 

Quickly Mom intervened, "But we already know how Good Friday turns into Easter Sunday. We can dance every day- even on Good Friday."  

Good Friday, the day that commemorates Jesus dying on the cross to pay the price for all my sins. And all your sins, too. Because we know how this ends, with Jesus arisen from the dead-conquering death, we say with the Apostle Paul, "For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's." (Romans 14:8). It makes me want to dance on this Good Friday.

Several people have sent me this beautiful rendition by Ten Two Six Music Group Nashville Studio Singer Community virtual cell phone choir of "It Is Well With My Soul". I encourage you to listen to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDIJz6zzHNU


This Good Friday I ponder this verse of the song:


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

Trials...Covid-19  
My heart goes out especially for my son as we watch his senior year at Concordia High School unfold with social distancing. Prom? His birthday? Senior Blessing? Graduation ceremony?
My heart goes out especially for my doctor husband trying to care for his sick, anxious, and hurting patients.
My heart goes out especially for you. I know you have your own story of hurt and pain with Covid-19 craziness-social distancing, economic troubles, and anxiety over possible illness or death. 
This Good Friday- even with Covid-19 and all the yuck that entails, I want to dance...Death IS conquered! 

Enter Jesus, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27). This was my theme verse in high school. I needed it then. I need it now. 
This Good Friday, I have peace like a river. 


It is GOOD Friday. It IS well with my soul...I am dancing! Will you join me?

A Good Friday prayer from PRAYCHS.  https://chsaustin.org/dailyprayers39 If you scroll to the bottom of this link, you can listen to the prayer (read  today by my son.)

UP NEXT TIME: EXERCISE

Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Change Cognitive Distortions

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #3 Healthy thinking

Listen to this blog post here https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Change-Cognitive-Distortions-ecgrq3
"The sky is falling; the sky is falling!" declares Chicken Little when his head is hit by an acorn...a perfect example of a cognitive distortion. Cognitive distortions are inaccurate thoughts that perpetuate negative thoughts and feelings.

Early in my career I was blessed to attend a workshop led by David Burns, M.D. a leader in the field of cognitive behavior therapy. In working with my patients I have found, if I can help them identify these cognitive distortions, they are able to change them. By thinking more accurately they live a healthier and better life. In these unusual days of Covid-19, it is important for each of us to recognize cognitive distortions and change them to healthier thoughts. Yes, all around us, very difficult circumstances are indeed happening. But taking hold of our distortions and creating healthier thinking patterns will help us deal positively with the current crisis.

Here are a few examples of cognitive distortions and ideas for healthy thinking:
Cognitive distortion of all or nothing thinking: "Everything is horrible." In these changing times of stay at home orders, a father of three teen-agers from N.C. reports in today's WSJ about his family, "We're having fun together at a way deeper level then we have in the past. I love spending time with them. It's intoxicating."  Healthier thinking: "Not everything is horrible.Yes, some things are horrible, but some things are even better than they were before."

Cognitive distortion of emotional reasoning: "I must be stupid." This morning, my husband, who has been doing a stellar job of spinning on a dime to not only adapt to all kinds of technology changes with steep increase of telemedicine, but also helping his frightened patients with making changes, frustratingly announced to me, "I'm just stupid" when he couldn't figure out how to join a meeting with a new technology platform.  I quickly reminded him, "No, you are not stupid. You are on technology overload. You have just not figured out how to do this one yet!" Healthier thinking: "I am in the process of learning so much new."

Cognitive distortion of overgeneralization: "I am going to starve." My son, who owns a small business-along with so many others in a similar situation-worries about not only paying his rent and buying food for his family, but also making payroll so his employees can do the same thing. Healthier thinking: "I currently have food in my cupboard. Grocery stores have food. The earth is still producing food. I may have to make an adjustment to my usual eating patterns, but for now, I still have many options for food."

Cognitive distortion of blame: "You just don't listen." Unfortunately that was what I screamed at my family the other day.  Sometimes it can be hard to live day in and day out with the same people and to be out of our usual routines. When situations get sticky, it is easy to blame others and not take responsibility for our own attitudes and behaviors. A response reflecting healthier thinking: "When you have a moment, I would like to explain what I am thinking."

We have this hanging on our refrigerator to remind and help us rethink:

What are your cognitive distortions? Identify them.  How can you change those thoughts to healthier thinking? (See ways to deal with cognitive distortions on handout.)

The Apostle Paul addresses thinking, "Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8).

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 #4 Don't worry about tomorrow.

GTT and home again. Day 7 Heroes

Ahhhh. It is indeed a long drive home from Texas to Wisconsin.  At about 7:00 am we left Pflugerville, TX. We drove like bats out of hell to get back in time for Monday activities. We stopped only when absolutely necessary; a few gas stops and one stop at Braum's for food. As we got closer and closer to home, we decided to try to get all the way home, instead of hoteling for the night as we had initially planned.  And after many hours on the road we arrived back in Janesville safe and sound.  PTL. About 1:15 AM arrival: 18+ hours on the road. WE DID IT! At times when I felt discouraged driving, I thought of all the prayers people were praying for us this week, and felt God's hand directing and upholding.  Thank YOU all so much for your prayers.

Sam & I discussed heroes as we travelled home.  The dictionary definition of hero: a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. So many heroes in TX.

Julie Tucker, from Concordia Lutheran in San Antonio, works tirelessly (well surely she must be super tired by now), organizing teams and people coming from out of the area to do Hurricane Harvey relief. She helped arrange our work at Trinity Klein.
http://www.concordialutheranchurch.com/engage/events/hurricane-relief

The people at Trinity Lutheran Klein, Spring, TX are just amazing!! Several people I did meet, but so many more behind the scenes- making lunches, collecting and organizing the supplies, working in the food pantry, hosting out of town workers, etc!!!
https://www.trinityklein.org/harvey-relief/

But here are some people, heroes in our eyes, that we did meet and want to name:

Bill and Dan, the chief leads on Hurricane Harvey home relief, were both incredibly strong and wise men, interacting with homeowners and overseeing each job, making sure supplies and communication were taken care of.  Heroes. Thank you!

Kent and Jim were our team leads directing the work on the homes we volunteered in. Both men were kind, diligent, and helpful to the team and homeowners. We especially appreciated their interactions to us, newbies, as we learned the ropes.  Heroes. Thank you!

Carla Grebing met each us morning. She oversaw the volunteers and took care of and prayed over us as we left each morning. I'm sure we saw only the tip of the iceberg of what all she does. Hero. Thank you!

All of the homeowners had courage! Please continue to pray for "our families":
Barbara
Janis and family
Roland and Ann
"Brick wall" family

We left. All these people stayed and continued the arduous task of cleaning up! Heroes!

Joshua 1:9(ESV)  "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”