Stay Focused

A lot is going on these days with the announcement of newly elected officials and voter challengers who made their presence known at the TCF Center in Detroit, Michigan. Although there are legitimate reasons to stand up for human rights and injustice, putting your faith in the wrong sources will only bring disappointment.

The country’s economic state, high unemployment rate, and the pandemic has caused a lot of unsettling. If you don’t pray regularly, concentrating on these malignant issues can cause you to feel like you’re going to lose your mind.

Remember the Lord’s Word

Hebrews 13:5 says … “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

These words can be a source you can turn to when everything seems hopeless. Think of your mind as being a switch that can be turned on and off. When you turn on a light, it stays on as long as you want, and when you want it off, you just flip the switch. The same can be done with your mind. The longer you stay focused on something whether positive or negative, the matter will affect your belief and mood.

Change Your Environment

The pandemic has changed the way we live, work, and shop. Since the second wave has emerged due to overexposure in various settings, national mandates are being implemented in order to reduce the spread. One of the ways our neighboring countries have taken a stance against this plague is with a stay-at-home order. The attempts of this type of pandemic control failed at the onset of the pandemic.

This is due to the advice of the health organizations, doctors, governors, and scientists being ignored. However, COVID-19 has proven to be stronger than many people’s intellect and strength. Numbers have exponentially increased, people have died, and hospitals are overwhelmed.

The lack of concern and reckless living has made the pandemic worse despite the advanced technology and knowledge that we have access to. The problem I perceive is the unwillingness to control personal behavior based on the perception that one cannot live without running everywhere.

Since this pandemic storm is invisible, odorless, and silent, good weather makes the situation seem nonexistent until the virus attacks the immune system uncontrollably. This type of normalcy bias mindset has sent many to the grave before their designated God-appointed time.

The only way to combat this type of thinking is to bring yourself under subjection to the instructions given by knowledgeable authorities. Romans 13:1and3 says … ” Let every soul be subject unto the higher power. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:”

Proverbs 25:28 says …”He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

This type of behavior has been seen during political campaigns, heightened victorious football games, and protests.

The lack of concern for one’s personal health is very disturbing.

When you find yourself bored, frustrated, or angry because restrictions have altered your travel routine, change your environment by doing these activities:

• Turn off the news and listen to uplifting music.

• Instead of feeding into negative drama-filled content on YouTube, choose videos with nature scenery and instrumental music. This will settle your mind and spirit. If you can imagine that you’re somewhere else, your spirit will align calmly.

• Teach yourself how to paint, draw, cook, or crochet.

• Organize your home.

• Listen to or download and read inspirational content such as Targeted Bible Verses.

Learn From History

The Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land should not have lasted 40 years. However, their discontent caused them to prolong their journey. The Spanish Flu had four waves of infection circulation which over the total number of waves claimed up to 100 million lives.

A Word of Caution

Proverbs 22:3 says, … “A prudent man forseeth evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

I want to encourage you to be vigilant about protecting yourself and your loved ones. Take care of your business matters such as grocery shopping, doctor appointments, and other situations on an as need basis.

Follow your governor’s advice (provided that your governor is one who is following the CDC’s recommendations as it relates to social distancing and wearing your mask) no matter what you see others doing. Your life is important.

Remember … “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” (Matthew 7:13).