Word of the Week - Peace in the Storm (Coronavirus) - Week 2

Word of the Week
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“If you say, “The Lord is my refuge, and make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” Psalm 91: 9-11

Friends, Family and Colleagues, I pray this email finds you well in the midst of what we are experiencing with the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine.  I want to reemphasize and expound on the message that I shared last week (see previous post), I believe it is critical for all of us so we can experience God’s peace in the midst of the chaos and be ambassadors of hope and encouragement during this time.

  • Perspective – Remember that God is sovereign and His plan is a good one.  He loves you and your family and will protect you if you make him your refuge - Psalm 91: 9-11 above
  • Peace – The Serenity prayer is powerful, “asking God for serenity to accept what we cannot change/control, courage to take action to change/affect things that are in our area of influence/responsibility and godly wisdom to know the difference”.  Don’t waste your time worrying “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life” Matthew 6:28
  • Plan – It is amazing how much a good plan can ease fear and anxiety.  It is the “not knowing” that is most scary.  Run the numbers, look at the data/facts, gain input and counsel by bouncing it off of people you respect and have wisdom, then put it into place knowing that it will change as we get more clarity.  By the way, there is no perfect plan but any good plan is better than no plan at all.  As a leader what is most important is how you communicate the plan.  Be positive and empathetic to how it impacts people but remain strong in resolve to do what is best for the whole.
  • Power – We all have access to the greatest power of all, which is God’s spirit.  God promises us that if we dwell in Him that His spirit will dwell in us and we will bare much fruit. John 15:5  One of the fruits of the spirit is “Peace” and it comes from God.  This is simply a daily decision to seek God first for direction, peace and wisdom or seek other things like government, media, information etc. to try to find solace.  The Lord makes it clear in His word that if we seek Him first then He will take care of us.  “Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness then all things will be given to us” Matthew 6:33

Stay strong by reading God’s word and remaining connected to the vine of Christ and the fellowship of the church.  We have more time and lots of technology to stay connected to God and each other.  Here are a few resources to encourage you and hopefully make you laugh:

Keep the faith,-Duane

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Word of the Week - Peace in the Storm - Serve Others - Week 3 COVID-19
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Word of the Week - Peace in the Storm (Coronavirus)