“Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him” attributed to James Allen….. could not be a truer statement in these times. I have NO thing to add to the discussion of what to DO during this pandemic. Hand washing, social distancing, quarantines, masks, limited travel, and the most obvious, keeping your immune system strong, it’s all been said. Do this, not that. I am, however, going to reMIND you who you should BE. This circumstance, this crisis, will reveal who you are. When a lemon gets squeezed, lemon juice comes out. What comes out of you when squeezed?
I reread this week’s reMINDer from Paul in his 2nd letter to Timothy. It is a very good reminder. Paul tells us that God did not give us a spirit of fear. Rather God gives us power, love, SELF-discipline, SELF-control and get this, you ready for it, drum roll please………………… a SOUND mind. That’s right. God gives us a sound, well balanced mind. That folks is what will reveal you during this time of crisis. Will your mind get lost in the mire of fear and hysteria, option (A). Or will your mind stay calm, kind, peaceful, loving and sensible, a mindful mind, option (B)? The number of rolls of toilet paper in your home right now might clue you in to which option you’ve picked. You can always pick again.
I often share parts of the wisdom text, A Course in Miracles, with you in my weekly doses. Here’s some wisdom I read just this week. It comes from Lesson 47 entitled “God is the strength in which I trust.”
“If you are trusting in your own strength, you have every reason to be apprehensive, anxious and fearful. What can you predict or control? What is there in you that can be counted on? What would give you the ability to be aware of ALL the facets of any problem, and to resolve them in such a way that only good can come of it? What is there in you that gives you the recognition of the right solution and the guarantee that it will be accomplished.” It goes on to say, “God is your safety in EVERY circumstance. His Voice speaks for Him in all situations and in every aspect of all situations telling you exactly what to DO to call upon His strength and His protection. There are no exceptions because God has no exceptions.”
I couldn’t say it better, so I didn’t try. God is my strength, yesterday, today and tomorrow. When I am weak, God is my strength. I find that strength during prayer and meditation. The power comes through me loud and clear during the silence. So, my one piece of DO advice this week: take a portion of the time spent news updating and social media scrolling and invest that time to prayer, meditation, silence and sitting in nature. I just bet you have the time now!
This too shall pass. They all do. Peace Out.
enJOY,
Dr. Denise Chranowski
