Talk about gloom and doom.

Today, the Texas governor announced that schools will remain closed until at least May 4. And then President Trump said that this coronavirus (COVID-19) situation could last in the U.S. until July or August—with up to 240,000 people ultimately succumbing to the disease.

Those stories just happened to pop up on my notifications. I stopped watching the news a while back because I can’t take this wall-to-wall coronavirus coverage. I can’t. I refuse.

I don’t need to turn on the television or scroll through the internet to understand the negative effects. People all around me have been impacted in one way or another by this pandemic.

They’re falling ill, losing jobs, getting their hours cut, getting their wages cut and stuck in the house while trying to keep some semblance of normalcy. This is certainly no fairy tale.

For the good of our own mental and emotional well-being, it’s time to swim upstream and look at all the positives that emerged in these past weeks. It’s easy to get caught up in the bad and start spiraling into a dark place. Fight the urge. 🙅🏾‍♀️

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. – Proverbs 17:22

Change your mindset and count your blessings. I’ll start.

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1. Health 

It’s flu season, so we struggled with some cold symptoms here and there in this household; but for the most part, all is well. 👍🏾 We definitely are being deliberate in doing our part to stop the spread and flatten the curve.

Also, don’t forget to pray for those battling with the disease and fighting on the front lines of this outbreak.

2. Employment

This shutdown had me working around the clock at first. No lie. But you know what? I’m employed, and I’m grateful. My husband and I are working from home, and that has turned out to be a blessing. Speaking of, that brings me to my next blessing…

 

3. Family time

It’s amazing what happens when family members are basically forced to hang with only themselves for the entire day.  As close as I was to my boys before, being able to homeschool them and be there to make every meal for them has added an extra flare to our relationship.

Our days used to start ridiculously early to get to our destinations and end close to the children’s bedtime. This time has allowed them to rest more and allowed us as parents to be more present.

 

4. Clarity

When you have things going on 24/7, you don’t have time to stop and think. With this unexpected shutdown, I’ve been able to reevaluate life and get a new vision for my future. I feel like God has been like, “Finally! She slowed down to be able to hear Me!” Yes. Yes, I did. And I’m all ears for Your plans for me. 🙏🏾

 

5. Daily Provisions

It was a fight to get toilet paper, and I still can’t find my usual meats at Sam’s Club, but we have our daily bread. We’re not lacking for necessities, and I thank God for that. For a roof over my head and food on my table, Lord, I thank you. 🙌🏾

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But as you give thanks, don’t be like the Pharisee who thanked God that he’s not like the tax collector who was in the temple with him. (It’s in Luke 18:11. Pick up a Bible, people! LOL!)

With a heart of gratitude, you give unto others.

Your pantry might be full, but is your neighbor’s? How are you helping someone who might have lost his or her job? Can you give those 15 N95 masks that you bought out of fear on Amazon to an actual medical worker who needs it?

This isn’t a time to think about yourself. Count your blessings and be a blessing. That’s the challenge.

Name five things that you are grateful for amid this coronavirus outbreak. Then, name a specific way you can help others in this time.

That’s the topic of this week’s video, and I can’t wait to see and share all of your responses.

And for goodness sake… STAY HOME! We’ll never flatten the curve if everyone uses this shutdown as a time to host impromptu corona kickbacks. Sheeesh!