The Good The Bad And The Ugly: A Covid Response by Teri Barr

2020 will be remembered throughout history and we are living through it! We have the privilege of learning from it AND getting through it! Never would I have imagined that in this day and age the whole world would willingly volunteer to shut down our economy, businesses, our events, schools and church services!
 
The Good
There are always lessons to learn. It’s not that we did anything wrong as individuals and must learn from it. However, it is always a good practice to ask the questions:
  • What can I take away from this?
  • How can I use this experience to draw closer to and become more like Jesus?
 
Some of us have more discretionary time – or at least our time looks different.
  • We can sleep in, binge watch tv, eat junk food, crawl into a hole of depression OR we can intentionally draw closer to Jesus, finally get into a Bible reading discipline, spend time in His presence and enjoy Him.
  • We can reach out to others – whether it’s through phone calls, FaceTime, Zoom (which is a new skill in all of our arsenals), text, email, writing cards or even meet!
  • We can meet one on one and take walks at a distance depending on your level of comfort.
  • We can get take-out food and park in a remote part of the parking lot next to a single or couple with windows rolled down and talk and laugh and eat together.
  • We can “tailgate” meals and conversations in the back of our cars.
  • We can carefully have a few people around – at as safe a distance as you’re comfortable and with hand sanitizer available.
 
The point is… we need God AND each other.
 
We cannot settle into a life of solitude. This could develop a distrust and disdain for others.
 
We LOVE others and we can’t forget that.  (Of course, our “loving others” first includes loving our families!) I’ve found that it is harder to get a smile or a “hello” from walking by strangers where it used to be commonplace.
 
We can’t give into it!
 
Let us continue to be friendly and helpful and kind to others! Hopefully we have learned what is important in our lives – our priorities.
  • Jesus and others should be at the top of the list.
  • Serving Jesus and others is who we are when we’ve said yes to His lordship!
  • Serving Jesus is worshiping Him, bringing glory and honor to His name and obeying the things He tells us in His Word.
  • It’s emulating Him – becoming like Him!
  • Serving others right now is a privilege!
  • Taking someone a meal, sending a card, paying a bill, dropping off (essential) toilet paper, baking for others, a kind word, showing love in a detectable way. 
Let’s represent AND share Jesus!
  • You will feel encouraged when you give!
  • It is more blessed to give than receive!
  • Do something with the time that we have!
  • Yes, the projects, organizing, cleaning, doing the things we’ve put off are a good thing to tackle.
 
Remember that God AND people are what is truly at the top of the list!

 

The Bad And The Ugly
There is so much information on the internet and on TV and it’s competing and conflicting. Too much news and social media will keep us in a state of fear, anger or despondency.

We need to PRAY!
Pray that our leaders would not use this pandemic to take advantage of furthering their own agendas.

We need to PRAY!
Pray that deception and blindfolds will be taken off, that truth would prevail,

We need to PRAY!
Pray that God would perform a miracle to rid this world of this virus.
 
Back To The Good
  • Jesus is on the throne!
  • God is sovereign and in absolute control.
  • We can trust Him based on His love for us demonstrated on the cross and on His track-record in our lives!
  • We have a future and a hope in Jesus!
  • He left the Holy Spirit with us to bring comfort, guidance, to teach us, to be with us through every circumstance AND He went to prepare a place for us!
  • Our future is certain in eternity!
  • We don’t have to worry or fear!
  • We honor Him in our lives while we are here, actively growing and loving Him.
  • And we love and serve those He’s brought in our lives.
  • With God’s strength and help, we will get through this together!
 
 
REMEMBER to check our website – westsideinfo.com every day to see what’s new!
 
  • Here’s how we can take every opportunity to “gather” together:
  • take a look at our daily devotionals
  • join in on our Bible School classes,
  • tune in online Sunday mornings at 9:40am for Elder’s Chat
  • immediately followed by our weekly service at 10:00am
  • participate in first and third Wednesday prayer meetings, don’t forget to meet with your small group meeting on Zoom!

 

We love you and pray for you!

Stay encouraged!

Stay positive!

Stay strong!

Teri

 

Psalm 9:9-10 (NIV)
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.


4 Responses to “The Good The Bad And The Ugly: A Covid Response by Teri Barr”

  1. Randi Wood says:

    GREAT message! Thanks for the super ideas on how to still be able to fellowship with people.

  2. Chuck Theuring says:

    Love it, the trust of His love for us is awesome!

  3. Tracie Deming says:

    Amen to all those Teri!

  4. Korinne Thomsen says:

    So much truth, practical application, and encouragement in these wise words! What a timely message with wonderful recommendations!! Thank you Teri for always evaluating situations from a “cup half full” mindset. We are all blessed to have you speaking into our lives. Love you so much my precious girl friend❣️Missing you all, Korinne

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