6 Lessons We Can Learn From The COVID-19 Pandemic

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11

The COVID-19 Pandemic is wreaking havoc across our world. It’s an uncertain time.

And yet for all the pain, the Bible teaches that for Christians, these trials are not wasted or futile. God is at work through it all, teaching us things that we might not otherwise learn (Rom 8:28, Heb 12:5-11).

Here are 6 lessons I’ve been reminded of over the last few weeks:

1) Life in a fallen world is not meant to be comfortable

But we modern westerners aren’t good at ‘uncomfortable’.

Like many westerners, I crave comfort. When I feel sick, I take medicine. When I’m hungry, I eat. If I’m thirsty, I turn my on tap. ‘Push button, fix problem’ is how our modern lives operate.

And so, we’ve grown used to comfort. We expect it. Indeed, we demand it. And when God throws a spanner into our lives – such as a pandemic that disrupts everything – we don’t do so well. We get frustrated. We get scared. We grow anxious, and even panic. We modern people – even Christians – aren’t that good at ‘uncomfortable’.

We forget we’re in a fallen world – a life under God’s curse (Gen 3: 16-19). The world is fundamentally broken. Yes, modern technology has done an amazing job ameliorating much of this brokenness (and that’s not a bad thing). Yet it means we can delude ourselves into thinking life is meant to be comfortable.

But it’s not.

This broken world is not heaven. And never can be. No government, no leader, no technology can ever usher in the new heavens and the new earth. That’s above our pay-grade. Only God can do that.

2) We crave control over our world

But when control eludes us, we panic.

Alongside an expectation of comfort, we modern westerners are under the delusion that life is under our control. After all, the ‘push button, fix problem’ mentality seems to work much of the time. And so, when life spirals out of control, like during this pandemic, what’s our knee-jerk response?

We try and take control back any way we can.

And that’s why so many are panic buying: it’s a way to try and get back control over a life that is out of control. People think if they can control their groceries, then they’ll have more control over their life.

But again, it’s only the appearance of control. Having 3 months’ worth of toilet paper doesn’t change the fact that we’re in a broken world where final control over our lives eludes us.

3) This Pandemic is God’s severe mercy

It forces us to look for meaning and hope beyond this world.

While this pandemic is part of the cursed world we’re living in, it can and is being used by God to achieve His redemptive purposes.

When it comes to Christians, this pandemic is a trial that can shift our gaze from the broken glories of this world, to the undying glories of the resurrected Christ. It can reorient our desires so that instead of yearning for worldly comfort, we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matt 6:33).

This pandemic heightens our ‘death awareness’: we become painfully aware of our mortality. Yes, it’s a confronting thought. But if we combine this death-awareness with the gospel of the risen Christ who has overcome death, we can become more captivated by the resurrected life to come (see Phil 1:23; 2 Cor 5:6-8).

When that happens, our white-knuckled demand for worldly comfort is loosened. We then realise – in a fresh way – that true life, meaning and hope isn’t found in a successful career or well-decorated house, but at the foot of the Cross. It’s a hope that will sustain us, whatever this pandemic brings.

4) A Better response than panic and hoarding

Looking out for the needs of others.

If our life is reoriented so that we seek first God’s kingdom, rather than making our own life comfortable, it’s surprising what happens. We’re better able to lift our eyes from our own fears and concerns, and look around to the needs of others.
I’ve experienced this first hand.

Like anyone else, my immediate response to the uncertainty of this pandemic was fear and anxiety. I felt the temptation to turn inward, and buffer my family against outside uncertainties.

But as I read my Bible, and turned my gaze to the risen King Jesus – who has my life and my future in the caring palms of his hands – something happened. By God’s grace, I found the desire to look not just to my own needs, but to the needs of others (Phil 2:4, Gal 6:10). I found the motivation to ask how my neighbours were going, and how I might help them at this time of need.

As a result, we attached some ‘viral kindness’ flyers to some spare toilet rolls. I figured we’re going to run out at some stage anyway, so why not use the toilet rolls to build relationships, and even point people to Christ (Luke 16:9)?

We door knocked our street, offering a free toilet roll to each house. We set up a ‘Whatsapp’ group for our street, to allow people to stay connected, and raise any concerns or offers of help. While it’s early days, we’ve been able to build connections with our neighbours that would have been harder to do otherwise.

5) Be careful who you listen to

The secular media amplifies anxiety and fear.

When it comes to the mainstream media, ‘if it bleeds, it leads’. Bad news stories are what grab our attention, and so the media feeds it to us in droves.

And COVID-19 is the media’s dream as far as bad news stories go. There’s every opportunity – and every reason – to tell negative stories about the impact of COVID-19.

But as I found myself watching the media reporting of COVID-19, I found my anxiety rising. I found my gaze turning away from the risen Lord Jesus, to the challenges and problems (real as they are) that my society is facing, without being able to do anything about it. And that’s a recipe for worry and anxiety, if ever there was one.

So I’ve turned it off. I check the news once a day. And I’ve felt all the better for it!

6) The Pandemic highlights the differences between the Christian and secular responses to suffering

Leaning into suffering, versus avoiding suffering at (almost) all cost.

There’s a key difference between the (typical) secular response to suffering and uncertainty, and the Biblical response:

In the modern secular worldview, suffering (especially life threatening suffering) is to be avoided at all costs. It serves no purpose. On the contrary, such suffering takes away from our life’s purpose, which is to be happy and comfortable.

And so, in this view, avoiding suffering – even if it means hoarding toilet paper at other people’s expense – is a rational response.

But in the Bible’s view, a Christian’s suffering serves a higher purpose. Yes, suffering is painful (the Bible doesn’t deny that). But it’s a key way God achieves His purposes, namely, to make us more like Christ (Jas 1:2-4). That goal gives meaning and purpose to our suffering.

And so, Christians can lean into suffering. We don’t have to fear it. We don’t have to avoid it. Instead, we can use it for the opportunity that it is: to glorify God, and serve others.

And that’s a much better way to respond to the unfolding pandemic around us.

10 Tips for Working From Home

Okay, so we’ve got to be bunkered down into our homes for the next little while – which means that the nature of work is radically changing.

For the best part of a decade I was helping to establish new churches – which means I’ve spent a LOT of time working from home! So here are some of the best-practice tips I learnt, to help you get the most out of the experience.

1 – Flannel will start to feel like failure

The first couple of days of working from home, the novelty of working in your pyjamas is really great—but, it’ll quickly wear off. Trying to set a world record for longest time in PJs is not a good idea. Somewhere in the middle of day three, your outfit will start to feel like failure. Trust me, each morning you need to keep up your regular get-ready-for-work routine. Shower, get changed, put on some proper work attire, and gear up for a proper day of working.

2 – Don’t mix your work space with your fun space

photo of father and son working together on the same desk

You want to have your work area designated clearly. This should be a zone that doesn’t sit in the middle of a fun zone. If you can avoid it, don’t use your bedroom! It honestly can be the WORST place to work from. If possible, bedrooms should remain dedicated to relaxation and rest, not work and stress.

For parents with kids, or flatmates who have no other quiet spots in the house, do your best to set up a corner with a small desk and chair, and keep it tidy. Otherwise, set up in the spare room, or carve out a spot in a part of the house with no major foot traffic. If you can, position yourself so you’re facing away from any general living areas. You’ll be less distracted, and the rest of the family won’t have to tiptoe around you. Do work when you are in your workspace, then move out into other areas when you need to chill out. And, if you have kids doing homework, craft or playing at the same table, try to make it a ‘quiet play only’ zone.

You can definitely make your workspace feel enjoyable – you’ll be using it awhile – but don’t turn your fun space into a workplace!

3 – Inject some comfort and colour into your work space

photo of a laptop and coffee on a desk

Make your mini work space as pleasant as you can, and add some touches of colour and familiarity. Even if your table or desk is only one metre square, you can still set it up neatly. Try some of the following:

  • Add a favourite mug to house your pens and stationery
  • Blu Tack a couple of favourite photos to the wall
  • Relocate a small lamp or plotpant to add some cheer
  • Add a cushion to your chair if it’s a little hard and uncomfortable
  • Keep a water bottle handy to keep hydrated
  • Have *healthy* snacks ready to go for in-between meals: fruit, nuts, yoghurt, cheese and rice crackers, whatever works for you!
  • Pay attention to ergonomics: if you’re starting to get a sore back or arms, it’s time to adjust your posture and position (see infographic at the bottom of this page)
  • Get up and stretch every half hour or so
  • Tidy your power cords and computer cables – invest in extra powerboards or extension leads to make your space a little nicer, and avoid trip hazards

And when you finish working each day, tidy up so you have an organised space to come back to, instead of a dump. It’s amazing how much a little tidiness can make you feel better about your work.

4 – Have a ‘stop’ signal

If you are living with other people it really helps to have some sort of signal or sign that tells people, “please don’t talk to me, I’m working and not available for any interruptions”. This sign needs to be clear and obvious, and everyone who is in the house needs to know what this means. When the sign is up—“Strictly no interruptions, I don’t have to apologise, this is a work zone and I’m locked in”. When the sign is down, “I’m available for a chat and can be interrupted”.

It could be a reversible “Stop-Go” sign with green on one side and red on the other, hanging on the door handle, or taped to the back of your laptop. If you get the kids to help make it, they’ll be even more invested in following its instructions!

5 – Headphones are your friend…

Photo of a young man with headphones on working on a laptop

Can you get your hands on some of those big over-ear headphones? If so, use them! Nothing communicates ‘don’t interrupt me, I’m working’, better than those headphones. If you need to get some proper quiet, invest in a pair of the noise-cancelling ones (shop online!).

In the office, ‘headphones on’ generally means ‘busy’; so start to communicate that in the same way around the house. They’re gold for productivity; trust me, the bigger and more obvious your headphones the better.

6 …But the kitchen isn’t…

The kitchen is the worst spot for working from home – it is the nosiest and busiest place in the house; also food is there. Try and limit your kitchen time to only snacks and lunch, tea and coffee. It really doesn’t help when you are trying to be productive to hang out near the fridge. Minimise your time in the kitchen!

7 …And a list is your *best* friend!

photo of a hand writing on a notebook

I one-hundred-percent love a list. It gives me a clear target for what I need to accomplish each day. I divide my lists into three sections. The first is the things that I ‘Must’ get done; these are the highest importance items. The second section is things that I “Should’ get done; these aren’t as serious and if I get to them today, I’ll have an easier schedule later on. Finally I have the ‘Play’ section; those items that need to happen but aren’t urgent. If I crack the ‘Must’ column, I’ve had a GREAT day! If I hit a ‘Should’ item, then I’m KILLING it!

If I smash both of those and then hit the fun stuff, well, I’ve probably got a pretty chilled-out day tomorrow.

8 – Have clear work hours

You have to over-communicate regularly when you are working from home. When you set your office hours, you need to make it clear that you aren’t available to put on the washing or vacuum the house during that time. If you do actually happen to get things finished early, announce to everyone that you are “Home from Work!”, so people know that you are now available to help out with things.

Early on in the process of working from home, I got frustrated with the chores that were coming in while I was working. This conversation helps to alleviate the tension.

9 – Zoom, Skype or Facetime: Video call your colleagues

photo of a man waving at the screen of his laptop

 

It is important to maintain face-to-face time with people, check-in about projects you’re working on together, and have the occasional water-cooler chat. It’s good for office morale, and helps you work as a team. Now that many of us are working in isolation at home, it shouldn’t stop the conversation – just do it on a screen!

Text messaging and online chat options are great too – keep using those – but add into the mix a regular face-to-face chat.

10 – Go for a walk or a run – regularly

photo of two people walking beside the water

If you are finding that your productivity is dipping a little, then remember you can always take a stroll. Maintaining the appropriate distance from other people, of course, make sure you get out at least for a short time each day. Exercise is one of the permitted outdoor activities, and it’s going to be essential for your mental and physical health in this season of social isolation. Pop in your earbuds, hit ‘go’ on your favourite playlist, and go for a brisk walk or a run. If you have kids, a partner or a pet, take them with you!

Do whatever you need do to take your mind off things for a little bit. Working from home does make life a little more flexible, so why not take advantage of the fact that you can process stuff on a nice walk.

How to Build Financial Resilience in a Crisis – 7 Expert Tips From a Debt Coach

I am a planner. That’s why I keep a diary. A diary gives me an idea of what to expect, a sense of control.

Of course, I didn’t have coronavirus in my diary, I didn’t expect it, and there is very little I can do to control it.

Even if you don’t keep a diary, most people like to know what’s around the corner, so you can be prepared. As humans we thrive off consistency, routine and the feeling of control. If we don’t feel in control, we panic — and buy boat loads of toilet paper.

“If we’re not in control, why bother having a budget? The answer is, because it will help us become financially resilient.”

I especially like to feel a sense of control over my personal finances; that’s why I have a budget. Coronavirus didn’t feature in my budget either.

This uncertain season has reminded me of the difference between being in control, and being resilient. The truth is, I don’t have total control over the state of my finances or market forces that affect them – only God is in control.

But if I am not in control, then why bother having a budget? The answer is, because it will help me wisely cultivate financial resilience, using the resources given to me. Resilience is about being flexible, durable and able to last when the unexpected happens.

Seven Steps Towards Financial Resilience

photo of a calculator

The financial resilience of many people in our nation is about to face a great challenge. But even if you’re swimming in an ocean of debt, it is never too late to start turning the ship around, and working towards a healthier position.

We will probably all feel the effects of this crisis in some way or another, so it’s wise to take time to consider what position you are in financially right now.

Here are some things I’m doing to build financial resilience, that you can do, too.

1 – Talk about your budget

The first step towards financial resilience is simple, but often avoided: start talking about it! My wife and I usually sit down together once a month to talk about our budget. It’s a good chance to take stock and consider what is coming up, and make adjustments. Bring that date forward. Set aside some time in the next few days to talk about money with your spouse, partner, or – if you’re on your own, find someone you trust who you can talk to about it. If you have never written a budget or talked much about money, now is a good time to find your next CAP Money course and get started.

2 – Consider your current money priorities

I know we all like to consider ourselves ‘Aussie battlers’, but the truth is, most of us have more than we need, and our money is mostly spent on wants. Now is a good time to consider where to ‘cut costs’, ‘cut back’ or ‘cut out’, in line with new and changing priorities. Some things may have to change for a while.

3 – Cut up the credit card – yes, really!

Living on credit does nothing to build our financial resilience. If things start getting tight, the last thing I need is a debt I can’t afford to pay. Please – stop using your credit card. Your frequent flyer points are no good when airlines are grounded; and debit cards can do everything a credit card can.

4 – Live below your means

When we spend every dollar we earn, it is impossible to build any financial resilience. The only way to put money aside for the unexpected is by spending less than you earn.

photo of Australian money in a jar

5 – Give others support

You may feel okay with where you are at financially, and if so, that’s great! If that is you, in a time like the present crisis, being financially comfortable comes with a responsibility to check in with those around you. You don’t have to be a financial adviser or counsellor to ask friends, family and colleagues how they are going.

6 – Reach out for help

You might be starting to really worry about what is to come. Maybe all this talk of financial resilience is making you worry that you won’t be able to weather the storm. If so, ask for help. People can’t help you if they think everything is fine. If you don’t know anyone in your close circle who can assist, call CAP on 1300 227 000, and a debt counsellor will be able to talk to you, listen to your situation, and guide you in some positive steps forward.

7 – Pray!

The Bible teaches us not to be anxious; not because there is nothing to worry about, but because God knows and loves us, and has promised to take care of us. By taking things one day at a time (remember, he asks us to pray for our daily bread, not our monthly bread!), we can rest knowing God is in control and knows our needs.

In fact, this last step is the most important. All the money in the world can’t protect us from the unknowns of tomorrow, and the anxiety of not being in control. But a trust that is built on the promises of God, is a safety that cannot be shaken.

Budgeting will change your life for the better

Financial resilience might start with a budget; something material. In time, however, these habits form a strength of character, with deep roots that can’t be shaken. My prayer is not just that you would be financially resilient at this time, but for people faith, I also pray that the discipline of budgeting builds a resilience in you that’s rock solid, thanks to the confidence we have in Jesus.

Find out more

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

How Businesses can Recalibrate During Times of Crisis

In the last few weeks, it has seemed that every day has brought yet another piece of bad news, pushing the world deeper and deeper into crisis mode. With more and more job losses, confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection and uncertainties arising, it is difficult to see the opportunities being offered by a crisis like this.

It is undeniable that Coronavirus has violently disrupted the way we do normal life. The one unique gift it is giving us, however, is space. In the most literal sense, it is giving us physical space from each other and for many of us, from our regular offices, commutes and meeting places. More than that, it is giving us space to recalibrate.

‘Getting back to basics’ is a critical first step to take when crisis hits – as the Ford Corporation did back in the 1980s. Despite being one of the most enduringly successful brands in the world, Ford got into serious trouble in ‘80s. In the space of just three years, Ford had lost over $3.3 billion, or almost half of the company’s net worth.[1] In the face of crisis, Ford’s executive leadership team was courageous. Instead of knee-jerk responses, the executive team chose to ask some fundamental questions: Who are we as a company? What do we stand for? What made us great in the first place? Is it possible we have lost sight of these things along the way?

After a period of reflection, Ford’s leadership identified what became known as the company’s 3 Ps – people, products and profits – in that order. More than some formulaic mission statement or an exercise in navel gazing, this process of reflection re-calibrated Ford with the very ideology the company’s founder had championed in the business’s early days. Furthermore, it gave Ford’s leadership a simple blueprint for future decision-making which contributed to the company’s sustained turnaround in the years that followed.

Put simply, re-calibration is about ensuring there is alignment between a brand or organization and its key values. It is about making sure that what you are doing and how you are doing it lines up with who you are and why you exist in the first place. It may not be sexy or spectacular, but it is critically important and being ‘off’ even by a few degrees can make all the difference when compounded over time.

Most businesses and organizations set out with a clear idea of who they are and why they exist. However, as the ‘what’ and ‘how’ get repeated, entities begin to focus on processes and lose sight of their purpose or outcome. Naturally, the longer we do something a certain way without thinking, the harder it becomes to stand back, get our bearings and make sure we are still going in the right direction.[2] Sometimes it takes a crisis to shock us into the consideration of this; the benefit of the unique crisis we are currently in is it has also given us the time and space to actively engage in this re-calibration.

The first key for an organization is to re-calibrate itself with what the French call a raison d’etre – or the fundamental reason or purpose for existence. In corporate speak, this is often referred to as an organization’s DNA.

Organisational DNA is comprised of two crucial elements:

1. Defining Values. Values should not simply be a tokenistic and polished statement of impressive sounding virtues but a guidepost for strategy and a touchstone for decision-making. They are a living thing – something central to the daily life of an organization or brand.

The space and the awakening this crisis is providing us with is also giving us a great insight into what our true values are, both as companies and as individuals, and is offering us an opportunity to fortify these values moving forward.

2. Driving Purpose. This second component of an organization’s DNA is equally important. While defining values require you to answer the question of why do we do things the way we do, the question of driving purpose is one that goes to the very heart of relevance: why do we do what we do at all?

Although many organizations have attempted to answer this question by crafting vision statements or mission statements, these are all-too-often a concoction of policies, practices, strategic aims and goals. True driving purpose, however, is more fundamental long-term and even philosophical than these things.[3]

It involves the true reason for the existence of the company, posing questions such as, ‘If you were to cease to exist tomorrow, what would be lost?’ With the threat of this philosophical question seeming very real to many businesses in the economic uncertainty of our current world, there is more reason than ever to find an authentic answer to such questions, which will provide the motivation and direction to move forward when the crisis is over.

Re-calibration is a fundamentally crucial practice for all businesses to engage in regardless of the state of the world. However, it is when crisis hits that we are able to see with a unique clarity the true internal state of our businesses. This crisis has given us the opportunity to not only access this clarity but to act on it in the time and space that has been afforded to us.

Although Coronavirus has had some truly devastating effects, it is giving us a moment of time to pause and reflect in all facets of life which is quite literally a ‘once in a century’ opportunity.

Article supplied with thanks to Michael McQueen.

Townsville City Council is urging residents to check-in, at a safe distance, on their neighbours and make sure they’re not feeling isolated or worried about novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Council has developed a G’day Neighbour postcard for people to drop into letterboxes and let their neighbours know they’re thinking of them and available to help with things such as picking up groceries, walking their dog or posting mail. A Council spokesperson said the postcard is a great way for people to safely connect with residents on their street. “The G’day Neighbour postcard is a simple way to reach out to your neighbours and let them know how you’re able to help them if needed,” the spokesperson said.

The postcard highlights four ways people can make a positive difference in the community. These are:

  • Think of others, consider your actions and show compassion – be kind
  • Check on your neighbours – give them a call
  • Support vulnerable or isolated people
  • Share only accurate information and advice from trusted sources.

“Council is particularly encouraging residents to reach out to the elderly and those who are vulnerable or isolated.” The spokesperson said the postcard also highlights the best way to reduce the risk of getting coronavirus. “The postcard urges people to wash their hands regularly, use hand sanitizer between washes and avoid touching their face, nose and mouth,” the spokesperson said.

“It also reinforces the advice to remain at least 1.5 metres from other people.”

 

Residents can download the G’day Neighbour postcard from http://bit.ly/2ID9rVP