How’re you doing? Really. Are you shocked, confused, bewildered? Trying to stay positive for those around you, knowing maybe, (like me) it’s an uphill battle to keep a sincere smile upon your face?
Late one afternoon I sat in my room, just having closed my computer for the day. The ‘official’ workday ended; time to start the second shift, the ‘mom’ shift.
But first, I needed a few minutes with the Lord. I had just settled my mind into prayer when an alarm from my cell phone interrupted.
Jumping from my seat, I grabbed the phone and dashed out into the hall in search of my diabetic daughter.
That alarm told me her blood sugar was too low. One glance at the screen revealed she was still dropping- a double downward arrow told me to rush. She needed sugar in the form on skittles or glucose tabs immediately. Without sugar, she risked going unconscious, or if left untreated, even worse.
Like many of you, COVID-19 has consumed my thoughts. I pray constantly for patients, caregivers, researchers, policy-makers and those living in fear of contracting it.
Yet, when that alarm sounds on my cell phone, I forget all else, prioritizing my daughter’s care.
I imagine how sweet it would be to have a spiritual-level monitor. How close am I to God? How is my thinking- is it Philippians 4:8-9, Hebrews 12:2? How great if an alarm sounded, prompting my response to jump into action?
Instead of skittles or glucose tablets, I simply would immediately settle in to read God’s word, and talk to Him in prayer. And then listen for Him. Fix my thoughts on Him. Know I could not do one more thing before I righted my mindset and set my spirit for success- focused on Him.
Living in a pandemic propels all of us into many challenges, even those blessed to stay safe at home.
Probably one of the biggest challenges is where to park our minds.
It’s important to realize where those healthy boundaries are. For my daughter’s Dexcom (device that checks her blood sugar), I set the alarm levels at certain intervals. Under 70 is too low, over 200 is too high. An alarm sounds when either of those parameters is reached.
For my spirit, I need to recognize when my thoughts are negative. When I have fallen out of my routine of Bible study, prayer, and intentionally focusing on the good. I can pray for the concerns, but truly give it to Him, not retrieving the concerns and wallowing there myself. Simply put, I need to set alarms.
I need to drop everything when those alarms sounds and act immediately, as if life depends on it, because emotionally and spiritually, it does.
And after the crisis is over, just like after my daughter’s blood sugar returns to ‘normal’ range, she may resume whatever she was doing before, and I return to the task at hand, with adrenaline still coursing through me.
That was another close call, too close!
You see, I have the ability to check her blood sugar any moment I want. I check on her several times a day. I also know the times of day and the activities which may prompt a drop.
Do I check my mindset at regular intervals? Have I considered which activities and times may prompt a decrease in my focus on Him?
That’s the reason I need to set an alarm!
I have learned I need to set boundaries for myself. I also need a friend to keep me accountable, not only during a pandemic, but even when it’s over.
How about you?
Will you join me in establishing accountability to try to live a Hebrews 12:2 and Philippians 4:8-9 life?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Nothing surprises You. You have promised to never leave me, nor forsake me. Please guide me to follow Your instructions to lead a Hebrews 12:2 and Philippians 4:8-9 life. Guard my thoughts and help me fix my eyes on Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.