Peace of Mind - April 30, 2020

The new restrictions on our travel and work, as a result of COVID-19, have disrupted our rhythms. Before, we were compelled to spend the majority of our lives (measured by investment of time) in the company of those who were not family. We had to go to work. We had to work __hour week. But, for many of us, this is no longer true. We are in fact mandated to stay home. And this mandate has presented an unsolicited opportunity for us to see what is in our hearts with respect to those we call family.

What feelings are surfacing at the thought of spending time with your family? Really. Pause and think about what has been happening in your heart. No guilt trips here. Sometimes we suppress the truth as it is being revealed because it doesn’t align with the best version of ourselves. The version that should be grateful for additional time with husband, children and parents. But, I want to invite you to pay attention to WHAT you are feeling and to SUSPEND JUDGMENT. I know it’s hard. But, we don’t become who we should be through denial. We only become who God has always purposed us to be (individually and in community) through an unabashed commitment to the truth. 

Try This: 

1. Plot out your anticipated interactions with family for the next week. Do this hour by hour. Some hours may remain blank and that’s okay. For example, “6:00 a.m., Greeting my husband” or “8:00 a.m., Wake the kids to get prepped for remote learning”.
2. Write the feelings that arise as you plot the interactions. If you are having trouble pinning the emotions, this feeling wheel may help.
3. Withhold your own judgments, in favor of submitting them to Jesus Christ in prayer. Ask Him to evaluate your feelings and reveal the truth of their origin. Let Him reveal the correct interpretation of them. 
4. Agree with God. You suspend your own judgments because you are not equipped to be your own judge. You need He who is all knowing and righteous, on His own merit, to tell you the truth. Don’t fight the truth He reveals. Agree and invite His counsel and sanctifying work in that specific area. He will give it!​
5. Allow Him to change your mind. God has revealed His mind to His people through His holy Word. Prioritize meditation and study, specific to what He has revealed as significant. Let Him wash your mind.
6. Obey. As you are renewed in the area of focus, put one foot before the other in practical obedience. Be patient. It will take time. Some of what is surfacing now, may have been brewing for years. Let God establish the timeline-move at the pace enabled by His grace.

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Additional Resources

1. Taking Care of Yourself to Save Your Marriage While in Quarantine
2. If You Were Considering Divorce Even Before Quarantine
3. Parenting During Coronavirus: Help Your Family Stick Together and Work 
​    through Tough Emotions
4. Fun Ways Technology Can Connect You with Family and Friends
5. 15 Things to Do with Your Family While You Are Quarantined

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Resources for You and Your Church

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Get access to the mental health awareness guide for your church here.
This guide includes the following:

• Basic definitions and facts pertaining to mental health.
• ​Ideas for raising awareness, ending stigma and pointing people to hope within your church community.​
• A Place to Start: Practical suggestions for implementing ideas in your community immediately and over time.
• Guidance to support community members in creating their own Peace of Mind Self-Care Kit, to include printables.

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