text: How are you coping during the pandemic? - Daily Devotional
  Home Daily Devotional Christianity How are you coping during the pandemic?
  by Stacyan RoweUpdated on January 18, 2022 October 13, 2020 1 Comment on How are you coping during the pandemic?
  "You never really know what's coming. A small wave, or maybe a big one. All you can really do is hope that when it comes, you can surf over it, instead of drown in its monstrosity.
  Alysha Spee
  2020 is a heavy year and many people are praying for the year to end in hopes that 2021 will be better. But what if it is isn't? How will we cope?
  Life as we know it has turned upside down. Some of the basic human interactions are now taboo. It is not advisable to hug, stand close or shake hands. Children are pulled from school and are now staring at a screen in order to be a part of the teaching/learning experience. Our churches don't look the same anymore as many have seen a reduction in membership, in order to facilitate social distancing. Many persons have lost their jobs and have filed for unemployment in some countries where that is allowed. Forecasters have declared that the world is now in an economic recession, which is worse than it was during the Great Depression. Millions around the world have contracted the virus, and sadly over one million people around the world died. There seems to be no end in sight and it would appear that there is no going back to any semblance of normalcy soon.
  All those aforementioned are dark, gloomy and depressing. Many have even committed suicide because of the weight of it all. But, dare I say that there is some good in all of this? The Bible says, "In all things give thanks". And I KNOW that it is one of the most difficult things to do when everything is going wrong. How do you give thanks when you don't feel grateful? How do you give thanks in the face of death and destruction? I know it is hard. However, one of the things I have sought to do during this horrible time is to identify things in my life that I can be grateful for. I am going to encourage us all to do the same. What are some positive things that are happening in your life?
  I have seen the best in humanity in this pandemic. Many companies have sought to help those who are less fortunate a lot more than they did in the past. Many innovators have created things that are assisting many in this pandemic. The earth in a lot of ways seems to be healing itself as man is not polluting it as was the norm. Many families have more interactions and are closer now than they have ever been. Persons who felt that they couldn't learn new things, are now learning more about technology among other things. We have become more self conscious about hygiene and sanitization. We are forced to respect personal space and to allow persons breathing room.
  The point I am making is, yes horrible things are happening that we can't ignore. However, in order to maintain our sanity and wellbeing, we have to focus on the positives happening in our lives and around us. Anything outside of that will plunge us into depression and bouts of anxiety. So, I encourage you today to write at least three positives that you have either experienced or those around you have experienced. In addition, think of ways in which you can assist those around you who may be going through a difficult time. I do believe that this pandemic requires that we take a multifaceted approach to assist not only ourselves, but others.