Create Your Foundation: What To Do When The Coronavirus Is Over
To repeat my opening line from last week, this is disrupting the world, now on levels no one could have imagined.
Since then, it’s manifold faults and foibles notwithstanding, the US government, state governments, and local citizens are taking the bold measures necessary to mitigate and ultimately eliminate the spread of this virus. Not perfect, but good.
There are a few supremely important points to know, internalize and share with others concerning this unprecedented time.
Point #1: WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS
Friends, there is light at the end of this tunnel. Do not let the doom-gloom news bring your spirits down. This will pass! Yes, there will be pain along the way, but we will be stronger, closer, and ultimately more joyful for the struggle.
Like the old saying goes, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
Point #2: PLEASE DO YOUR PART
Look in on your neighbors, especially the elderly and infirm, and offer to run their errands so they don’t have to risk exposure. Is there someone you can bring groceries to? Someone you can reassure? Can you give blood (there is a huge shortage right now, which a friend just texted me literally as I’m writing this).
Never has there been a better time and reason to come together as a community.
Point #3: CREATE YOUR FOUNDATION
Whatever your faith there is a great truth in the Bible (Matt 7-24-27) which basically says if you build your house on solid rock, a strong foundation, when the rains and wind come it will not fall.
How can you metaphorically “build your house on solid rock?”
Take some time to answer the following questions…
- What has the current world health crisis revealed about your life foundation?
- Are you prepared financially if your income dried up for 3-6 months?
- Do you have a general emergency plan in place?
- Do you keep a supply of life essentials on hand?
- Are your relationships strong with friends/family you can depend on?
- Is your emotional health ready for this or is there work you need to do?
- Can your business withstand a sudden drought in revenue?
- Whatever your faith, is it rooted in unshakeable truth? Do you have a faith which assuages your fears, gives you direction and offers a sense of calm in the larger perspective?
- Do you know who the weak and vulnerable are around you to serve?
- What can you begin doing now to improve your life and relationships once this passes? (And it will pass).
Point #4 MAKE A PLAN
Now, while your weaknesses and needs are fresh and present, make a plan for what you need to do to shore up and solidify your life’s foundation going forward.
Your plan might include…
- financial emergency fund
- survival kit and supplies
- alternative revenue streams
- tending to friendships, mending relations
- talking with your family about how to handle emergencies
- confronting the issues you know you’ve needed to
- tending to your health
- building your spiritual and faith relationship with God or your sense of God.
After doing whatever is necessary to weather this storm and help others do the same, now is the time to rebuild your life’s foundation, physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.
Live truly, truly live,
Mike
