What does following Christ look like during a pandemic?

​I’ve been sitting on the couch since 7:00am, trying to study my Bible, but finding myself processing ALL THE THINGS instead.

And, my friends, there is a LOT to process.

It has been a month, y’all. My husband has been out of town for work, and I’ve been juggling all the ins and outs of single parenting during a literal world-wide outbreak (while launching a nonprofit).  WHEW.

Add to the fun: a trip to the emergency room with my 6-year-old (of all times!) after she nailed her head on the corner of a kitchen cabinet. Fun times. (She is doing fine now, BTW.)

Yesterday, when our county announced they will be closing schools due to COVID-19, effective Monday, the enormity of the situation we’re in fell on me heavily. 

I must admit, until quite recently I was one of “those” people. Who joked. Who complained. And (worst of all), judged actions I deemed “extreme and unnecessary.”

As He usually does, the Holy Spirit dropped in to convict and course correct. He helped me begin to see things from a broader perspective, and He pulled back the curtain on the source of my frustration: the need to feel control over the situation.

But the truth is I’m not in control. You aren’t either. And that’s a good thing. 
HE is in control. We don’t have to stress or fear because our lives are never outside of His hands.

So, if we can’t control everything, what is our job right now? Most of us have never experienced anything like this before. What does following Jesus look like during this season?

Today, I’m going to share a few things our family is doing from a Biblical perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic:

We're learning to love our neighbors better, and submit to governing authorities. 
As Christians--Christ-followers—Christ commands (not recommends) that we put our neighbors first. That means setting aside our plans and preferences when it comes to the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of others. We are to treat others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).

• If I needed urgent care for my husband, child, parent, or grandparent, I would want to be able to access it without delay.

• If I needed food, diapers, toilet paper, and soap I would want there to be some on the shelves.
• If I were elderly or my immune system were compromised, I would want someone to go pick up my groceries.
• If I had to be shut in, I would want people to Facetime, call, and text to check in.

These are just a few of the things I’m thinking about as we ride out this big, uncertain wave. As a mom of three germ factories- err, young kids, I’m choosing to abide by the recommendations of the government and CDC and stay in. This choice is not out of fear for what we might catch, but concern for what we may spread. Jesus protected the vulnerable, and we should too. 

(For more on this topic, check out this wonderful article by Andy Crouch.)

We're stepping up our prayer game.
After being called out (thanks Holy Spirit) on my initial stinky attitude, I decided this: every time I am tempted to complain about the situation, I’m going to pray about it instead.

As I said on social media yesterday: Science is real. Germs are real. Pandemics are real. But God is also real. He made the sun stand still, the seas part, and donkeys talk. He controls it all.

Now is the time to lift our voices and cry out for help in our time of need. Yes, we need to do our part by using wisdom to protect the most vulnerable among us, but we also need to ask for His mighty hand to intervene.

Psalm 50:15 says, “...call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Our bold prayers honor God.

It’s time to pray...

For our government.
For our healthcare workers.
For the elderly.
For the media.

Will you join me in lifting our collective voices to the heavens today?


We're walking in wisdom, not fear.
We are doing what is within our control (washing our hands, and practicing social distancing), and trusting God with what is not. 

It’s obvious God cares about our health (hello, Levitical law). He has given us an entire book of wisdom, and expects us to walk in it. 

Remember that through wisdom and action, Joseph saved an entire nation from obliteration (Genesis 41). He could have disregarded God’s instructions in the name of “faith”, but the results likely would have been devastating. We cannot excuse reckless behavior, then blame the results on “God’s will.”

That being said...

• We bought groceries for two weeks, not ten.
• We have talked to our kids about good hygiene, but aren’t stalking them every second.
• We have declined large-scale gatherings, but are not completely isolating.
• We have “cut the fat” in our expenditures, but haven’t stopped giving.

We are choosing faith over fear.

We believe in a God who protects and provides. So we are taking any and all anxiety to Him, and picking up His peace instead (1 Peter 5:7). Knowing God is for us and never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5) gives us peace that passes all understanding— a peace no amount of preparation can give (Philippians 4:7).

We’re doing our part, and trusting that God is doing His. 


We're seeking out safe ways to stay connected.
I stand by the actions of government, schools, organizations, businesses, churches, and others who are taking every precaution to “flatten the curve.” I don't believe for one second that it demonstrates fear, or a lack of faith. 

But while large-scale meetings simply aren’t going to be wise in the coming days, I believe we need to be more intentional and creative than ever before about authentic connection. With every passing year, I am more convinced than ever that community is crucial to our joy, our spiritual growth, and our sense of belonging. 

Here are some ways I’m being intentional:

• I’m continuing to open my home to my small group (less than ten individuals), which meets once a week. However, adding precautionary measures such as disinfecting before and after, and providing individually wrapped snacks and drinks.
• I’m Facetiming and messaging elderly loved ones in our family.
• I’m using my phone to make phone calls to friends. Imagine that. There something about hearing someone’s voice on the other end.​
• I’m making a point to “attend” church online, where I can come together (albeit virtually) with other believers.

I took this picture today, before my kids’ last day of school for what will probably be a month.

They protested, but I told them they would appreciate it one day when they tell their kids and grandkids they got out school for a month for the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020.

My kids don’t understand the magnitude of the days we’re living in and, in many ways, I don’t think I do either. There are so many unknowns— how long will it last? Will our elderly loved ones be safe? What will happen to the economy?

Only time will tell. In the meantime, this is what we’ll be doing. Leaning in, and allowing it to shape us into the men and women of God He desires us to be.

In conclusion, here is a scripture from James 1, from The Message translation:

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so that you will become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get His help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought…” (James 1:2-8)

I'll share more thoughts, as I process, over on social media (links in my "about me" page).

Know that I am praying bold prayers for you, your families, our nation, and our world today!

With Love,