Sunday, March 01, 2020

The Coronavirus: When Should We Panic?



"But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people."  ... John 2:24


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So here's what I shared at Facebook:


Worried about the coronavirus (or anything else)? This is a wonderful reminder--





I believe that? Yes. Seriously, I trust God to keep my family safe.

But who I do not trust? People. Especially the ones who believe it's hip, even godly to spread panic and those who blame our President for an outbreak that hasn't even happened.

Good grief. 

Anyway, read some statistics on normal yearly flu deaths and it'll shock you what's happened every single year while you lived your regular lovely life. Perspective: it's a good thing.

Now, lest you think I'm being all la de da about this, let me add that always I'm careful to keep my immune system beefed up. And actually, this month marks the fact that I've been sick only twice in 9 years. A record for ol' Debra who used to catch whatever you'd toss her. 

Daily I take these:

5,000 units of Vitamin D3 
1,000 (or 2,000) units of Vitamin C 
1 acidolphilus capsule
2,000 units of krill oil
500 units of magnesium
Lots of forgiveness toward others
And much godly, peaceful contentment

I would tell you I exercise and eat right, but that would make me a Big Fat Liar.   ツ

And the last part of this? Since overreaction in our Country has become  'cool', I'm making certain Tom and I have 2 weeks' worth (minimum. It's more like 2 months, but I don't wish to overwhelm you) of supplies at home in case we're forbidden to leave.

But that part's easy. It's the way we live. 

If you've read here long, you know I seek to live prepared for: 

A job layoff
A natural disaster
A house-type problem
Another person's needs
A town/neighborhood catastrophe
And winter. Just plain ol' Buffalo winters.

Hey. Today's world is a dicey place.

The secret to (calmly) being prepared? Listen to God. He knows your specific future and His wisdom is endless. He'll tell you where to search for answers you, specifically, need.

And the best news? You can count on Him to face whatever it is with you. He'll show Himself strong in you as long as He's truly first in all your thoughts and plans.

And there is no fear in that kind of perfect love.








"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."... 1 John 4:18


Oh! And please do not torture yourself by watching the panicked people online or on tv. This is tons better--

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you."    ...Isaiah 26:3





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An easy way to stock up for a two-week period?


Check your pantry supplies. List the non-perishables you have enough of for 2+ weeks. Try to keep these separate for awhile to only be used in an emergency. 
(Keep in mind a 2-week supply of, say, canned corn doesn't mean you need 14 cans. I mean, really. Do you want to eat a can of corn every single day for 2 weeks?)  シ
Consult your meal plan list (you have one, right?) Make a grocery list of items you'd need for those meals, especially non-perishables.
Only buy what you like to eat.
Remember your pets' needs!
Check to make sure you have 2-weeks' worth of paper goods and cleaning supplies. (More is better.)
Check your vitamins and medications to make certain you'd have enough of those, as well.


Occasionally go back and check all these supplies to see if you need to buy more for that possible 2-week period.


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And speaking of Buffalo winters...... this is wild, right?



                                      (Photos by Abandoned 716)




Oh! And Betsy reminded me: check out these frozen houses on the shore of Lake Erie. My, my, my.















"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

4 comments:

Betsy said...

We saw some photos of Buffalo on the news last night. The photos of houses encased in ice were crazy!
I agree with your post. A good perspective. I do think we have a better chance of catching this virus because there is no herd immunity. No one has ever had it befor, but no matter, all you can do is be prepared.
Alex and Tara sat in the airport in Tokyo all day yesterday waiting for flights. We're hoping the UK immigration lets Tara back home and then she has to begin a mandatory two week quarantine as per her employer. Her Dad is also quarantining because he had to take a business trip to Sinapore and Malaysia. None are showing any symptoms of the virus so far and we hope that continues. What a world we live in.
Washington State had the first death in the country yesterday so you can just imagine the panic here. I'm trying to remain calm while my kids jet around the world and my daughter is a nurse taking care of sick people and we have so many cases here. My anxiety is on high alert but I'm strangely calm. :-) . God is truly my refuge and my help.
Wishing you a blessed Sunday Debra. Thank for your practical advice. We're set here for about a month I would guess.
Blessings,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Thank you Debra for being honest and saying how you feel. What is true in the word too. With our President doing so much good in his time in office so far, I can't imagine how much more he could have done for the country if only they had let him do his job and worked along side of him. He wanted to help America? What is wrong with that. ?? No matter what is happening here we still know God is on His throne and will always be. Knowing that is such an assurance when anything gets upsetting. Getting upset also does no good. Being upset does nothing to change the outcome of anything. Oh,... don't get me wrong. I have been known to talk back to the television when 'facts' are stated that are not true. Or what was ok for one side to do but Terribly Wrong for the other side to even think of doing... You get the idea. I think most days anymore we are living in a parallel universe where wrong is right and now what was right is wrong.

No anxiety about if we are ever told to stay in for a while....that has been taken care of long ago. Remember God put us here for a time such as this..... He knew what our life as well as the world would be like in 2020. I would want to know why I was born for this time...What is my place or purpose in His plan that I am to be a part of being born now not at any other time .. .. ? Sarah

Pam said...

I'm running behind and just finished reading this timely post! As usual, you're on the money, Debra. A few weeks ago, my daughter was facing some issues that required her to exercise her faith in God. When we talked about it, she said, "You either believe God and His Word or you don't!" So true! Thank you for including these wonderful bible verses, Debra. God's word helps me to deal with fear and stay focused. I sure hope Buffalo's weather warms up soon! As soon as I saw those pictures of the ice houses, I thought of you and Tom. Maybe this will be the last storm of the season.

Debra said...

Betsy-- I loved how you said you were strangely calm! That sounds so much like the work of God upon your mind. Wonderful.

Sarah-- I had to smile when you mentioned talking back to the tv because I do that, too! heh. Oh! And as I was listening to this, below, I thought perhaps it might help you with knowing why you're here right now. :)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9r93TmmjTM&t=1784s


Pam--oh! I loved so much what your daughter said. Thank-you for sharing. That's the kind of attitude we all need during these turbulent times.


Thanks so much, Everyone! Blessings, Debra