COVID-19 Novel Encouragement Sample

Loving Family in Close Quarters

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. ...
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. Colossians 3:14-15; 18-21

Family. It's a word that means different things to different people. For some, it means our closest blood relations with an uncanny knack for driving us insane. For others, it's a word to describe our deepest relationships, people for whom we would go to the ends of the earth. For many of us, our concept of family is some combination of the two.

Now with the rapid onslaught of COVID-19, a lot of us find ourselves suddenly confined indoors for prolonged periods with said family members, and the opportunities for tension to mount and boil over into lost tempers and angry words are high. Spouses squabbling with each other, parents snapping at small children, adult children desiring a moment of privacy and isolating themselves from their parents … does that sound reflective of your current circumstance? The situation in itself is frustrating, to say the least, and one that we're still grappling to adapt to. With living in a family, it's not simply our response to this unforeseen turn of events that we have to contend with, but rather the reactions of those we live with. Their attitude rubs off and can create more frustration, anxiety, and shortness of patience within us if we're not careful.

But as with most things, our attitude is largely shaped by our perspective. Romans 12:2 instructs us, "don't copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." 

What if we change our perspective and make the most of a situation that's been foisted upon us? What if we see this as an opportunity for quality time, to better know and serve our family and our roommates? If we do the tasks of daily renewing our minds to reframe the situation and clothe ourselves in love, looking to the Holy Spirit to lead us in our interactions, He will be faithful! Faithful to strengthen fragile or tense relationships. Faithful to provide creativity for inventing new games, silly songs, activities, family traditions; or at the very least provide internet resources for infinite ideas on all of the above! As you choose love over cabin-fevered crankiness and focus on gratitude for what and who you have in your life at this time, as opposed to what you don't, He will be faithful to work in you and grow you more in: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The fruit of the spirit in you will stand as a living testimony, influence your family interactions, and have bearing on your household.

Even those who find themselves alone at this time, with family back in their home country, can take advantage of technology and stay in touch more diligently. Minister to worried family overseas by assuaging fears and spreading peace. Do devotionals, Bible studies, or book reviews over the phone. Don’t underestimate the bonds that can build over Facetime!

We don't have to be slaves to our circumstances. Choose to change your perspective and live in love to those around you as Jesus did. You have the promise of God that He will turn this period of involuntary closeness into good, into what could be a very memorable time in which your family grows closer than you would've otherwise believed possible in such a season.

Prayer for today: Lord, help me love my family as you loved me, that I would be willing to even die for them. Let my family use this unique time to grow closer to one another, that we will come away with the memory that the 2020 corona quarantine was the time that connected our family relationships stronger than ever before! That most importantly, our family relationships will model the love and grace of Christ to a lost and broken world. Amen

For parents of young children, here is a link to a blog post providing numerous activities to get you started on maximizing your family time and making the Coronavirus quarantine work for you.

By Candice Blake, Beijing