As the world experiences a pandemic for the first time in over 100 years, I am sure we all wonder daily about many things. How will this affect me? How will this affect my family? My business? What can I do?

My pastor said this in his sermon on Sunday, “Stress leads to selfishness.” That is so true. As our “world” has become smaller; as we shelter in our homes, stress levels have risen, which makes our world seem even smaller. Think of the toilet paper hoarding. Good grief!

We keep listening to all the different stories of how this virus has affected people. Because of technology, we are able to hear of how people that are literally around the world are being affected by the disease or by the orders given by the governments. More and more people getting sick and dying. More stress. Smaller perspective. More selfish thinking.

Perhaps like my family, this disease has not affected you directly. Be thankful! Yet, you may wonder how you could help if only you could leave your home. You used all your fabric to make masks, you’ve cleaned out all your closets, and you have watched all the shows you care to on the TV. You are staying in your home to protect others.

What can you do?

PRAY! Pray to the One who is always in complete control. Our God knows every single detail that is happening to every single individual in this world. He knows the truth. He knows the good that is happening, and He knows the evil plans. Nothing about the situation in the world has caught Him by surprise. His heart is breaking, too, when He sees the hurt and the pain.

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed (made whole). The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20

WAIT! We must wait to hear from God.

My soul languishes for Your salvation; I wait for Your word. Psalm 119:81

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

LISTEN! Listen to His voice.

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You; teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

Do you recognize it?

If you have never heard the voice of God, His message to you is to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for your sin. Without the payment for sin, every person would die and be separated eternally from the God who created them. Jesus paid my penalty and your penalty. Accept Him as your Savior. Once you do, you become one of God’s children. He will speak to you as your Father.

Do you allow Him time to speak?

I will confess right now that I am not always quiet enough or still enough to listen and hear His voice. I am pretty sure God knows that about me and hollers as I rush to the next chore on my list. I really want to hear His still small voice, and I would rather choose to sit still than be made to sit still. But I am a doer-bee. I hear of a problem; I want to fix it. Take action. This desire may come from being the oldest child and being put it charge at times. Leadership and organization are almost my spiritual gift and talent. Sitting still definitely goes against every cell of my being. But I treasure the moments when I choose to get quiet and still away from the noise of this world, when I open the Bible where God speaks His words, and when I wait to hear His voice.

Life, however, is bringing so many challenges that cannot be fixed by me or any other individual. We stay at home, away from friends and family, in order to get people well. Our groceries look different, and we may not find the things we like. Church is definitely different. Working from home may be difficult. We can’t fix these changes right not.

But God can.

A dear friend’s grandson is facing the end of his young three-year-old life as I write these words. They have so much pain and heartache right now. My heart breaks for her, her son and daughter-in-law, her other grandchildren, and the rest of her family. And I can’t fix anything for her.

But God can.

So, what can I do?

Pray! I can ask God to be Himself in the lives of my friend and her family. I can ask Him to comfort this family as He comforted me that day when I had to say good-bye to my daughter and walk away. I can pray His control over this virus and the leaders of the world who make decisions for people. I can, then, wait on Him to speak to me. I can wait to hear if He wants my help. Instead of charging ahead of Him, I must sit still and not barge in where only God can work. I can choose to be obedient.

One day, if He calls me do so, I want to “comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)