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How to Grow Through the End of April’s Quarantine
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Coronavirus isolation
Guest blog

How to Grow Through the End of April’s Quarantine

April 7, 2020
-
Posted by Cindi

How are you doing while being holed up in your home? I’ve been encouraged by seeing so many people rise above this quarantine challenge and allow God to work in their lives. 

One such encouragement came the other day from a friend and writing client, Donna Wright. I’m sharing her words with you this week in hopes that it will inspire you to make the most of this “waiting it out” time. 

Here’s Donna…and don’t miss her practical application at the end on what you can do with those empty squares on your April calendar: 

This virus crisis. This quarantine. This life-changing event. This isolation. Whatever you want to call it felt like the furnace was turned up when we were given another quarantine deadline of April 30.

Might as well tear April off the calendar. Each day will be blank without plans. No parties. No church. No gatherings or celebrations at parks or restaurants. All blank squares…

I recently saw us in the story of Daniel 3 about three God-fearing young men – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three men chose to serve their Lord instead of bowing down to an idol and ended up in a fiery furnace. Seems like pretty harsh punishment for not bowing down to an idol. But, let’s get a little closer to the fire.

Webster’s Dictionary defines an idol as an object of extreme devotion.

  • Could it be that our busyness had become an extreme devotion – an idol of sorts? 
  • Did we find our identity in our accomplishments? Or did we lose our identity in all our successes? 
  • Do we find our peace in productivity? Or do we lose peace when we’re over-productive?
  • Do we escape the real world with activities? Or do activities create for us a surreal world?

We are three weeks into this “new norm” as the news and leaders are calling it, and hopefully this new norm has reminded us of something to be treasured. We have had it all along, and we have just as much of it as we had before the virus outbreak. TIME. It just looks different. 

There are still 24 hours in a day. Still 365 days in a year. So, why does the new April 30th deadline cause us so much anxiety?

Let’s face it, we don’t like someone telling us what to do when it comes to our time, our activities, our calendars. We want to be the ones to fill up each square on our calendars and we want to be in control of clearing those squares.

In the biblical story in Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar did not like that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not do as he requested – that they would choose obedience unto death over obedience to him. Their faith in God was stronger than the trials or the furnace before them. They were certain that if they continued to serve God, in spite of their circumstances, He would deliver them out of the fiery furnace. Look at how the story ends: 

“But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire” (Daniel 3:24-26).

The three young men believed that their God was more powerful than King Nebuchadnezzar. And their faith demonstrated that God is able to deliver us from own problems, trials, and a virus crisis.

As Christ-followers, we know that God is in the furnace with us just as He was in the fiery furnace along with the three young men. We know God is in control of the thermostat when it feels like things are heating up.  While in this furnace not only is He with us, He is refining us – refining our priorities, refining our minds and thoughts, refining our faith. 

What are we to do with the rediscovered treasure found in this furnace-like trial? 

Instead of filling your time with reading news releases and cute posts on social media, read your Bible. Ask God to bring His Word alive. As you read His Word, just like those faithful three you will feel His presence in this furnace of quarantine. 

Instead of tearing off an empty April calendar page, write something on each day that God has done for you. Let each day represent His goodness, mercy, and love in your life. Write about what you will trust Him for. Then this will be a page you will tear off and save. A month of praising the King of Kings, the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A page in your history giving Him all the glory and honor that He deserves. A page that will show that there is no other god like our God, the One who rescued us. 

Let me pray for you:

Lord of heaven and earth, the one true God,

We are in total admiration and awe of who You are. Thank you for being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Help us in this time of trials and uncertainty to be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, placing our trust in You. We know You will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). No matter how hot the fire gets, You, Father, will not allow a hair on our heads to be singed.

Forgive us for any idols we have created in our lives, anything we have put before You. Even things considered good, if they crowded You out, we ask that you reveal them to us. Thank You for giving us the treasure of time. May we honor this treasure by honoring You with grateful hearts. Thank You for being with us and loving us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

 What will you do with your empty calendar now through the end of April? Donna and I would love to hear it in the comment section below. 

Donna WrightDonna J. Wright, lives on a beautiful ranch in Texas, with her husband, Ken. They have five children, 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Donna’s passion, coupled with the Word of God, is teaching people. She is currently writing a devotional book to encourage teenagers and help grandparents connect with their grandchildren. In her spare time, Donna loves being with her family, cooking, reading, fishing, and sharing the Bible with others. You can connect with her in the comment section below or on Facebook.

April 7, 2020
19 Comments
Cindi
Cindi McMenamin is an award-winning author and national speaker who helps women find strength for the soul. She has nearly 35 years experience ministering to women and inspiring them to let God meet their emotional needs, grow stronger through their alone times, and pursue their dreams with boldness.
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19 Comments

on How to Grow Through the End of April’s Quarantine.
  1. Julie
    April 7, 2020 @ 5:11 pm
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    Reply

    Wow! I really needed to be reminded of this. I feel like I need to be productive all the time and am going stir crazy. My wise teenagers remind me often to enjoy the slower pace…. daily walks with family, board games, e.t.c I’m going to try and write something down each day that God has done for me or I’m thankful for!

    • Cindi
      April 7, 2020 @ 7:38 pm
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      Reply

      Thanks for those encouraging words, Julie. Glad you’re seizing the day to do something productive and meaningful with your teenagers during this time of quarantine. Too often time slips by us and we forget the opportunities that are right there in front of us. Thanks, again, for sharing.

  2. Carolyn Nelson
    April 7, 2020 @ 5:25 pm
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    Reply

    Donna, I am a grandmother with 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. I would LOVE to know when your devotional is completed. In my quiet time with God this morning, I confessed that I had not witnessed and ministered to my children and grandchildren the way I should have, since I am a Child of God and a born again Christian! I need the words you are writing. Please email me at Carolyn@synterragroup.com when the devotional book is completed so I can get a copy. Thank you so much and your devotional that Cindy shared with us is beautiful! Thank you, Carolyn

    • Cindi
      April 7, 2020 @ 7:37 pm
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      Reply

      Thanks, Carolyn, for your encouraging words to Donna. I’m sure she’ll be in touch with you and you’ll hear when her book is published. 🙂

  3. Holli
    April 7, 2020 @ 6:20 pm
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    Reply

    Great word! Thanks for the new perspective!

    • Cindi
      April 7, 2020 @ 7:36 pm
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      Reply

      Thanks for reading and commenting, Holli.

  4. Donna Wright
    April 7, 2020 @ 7:49 pm
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    Reply

    Cindi, thanks so much for sharing this writing with so many. Thanks to all for the encouragement for the future book. Hope to use my empty calendar pages to expedite it publishing…..
    Your encouragement is also very motivating to stay focused. Love our iron sharpens iron even in isolation….blessings to all.

  5. Carol Jackson
    April 7, 2020 @ 8:30 pm
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    Reply

    Donna, thank you for sharing this. It reminds me to slow down and open my eyes to the goodness of everyday and this beautiful world we live in.

    Carol

  6. Sharon
    April 7, 2020 @ 8:43 pm
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    Reply

    Donna, I would also like your devotional when it is completed. I have 5 grandchildren and want to be a strong influence in their spiritual lives. They range from 2 to 9 years. They love the Resurrection Eggs which is nice way to tell Easter story. Thanks. Sharon

  7. Lynn Jacobs
    April 8, 2020 @ 12:11 am
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    Reply

    When it was evident distancing would turn into stay-at-home orders in our state I started a daily gratitude pictorial journal on Facebook! Today was day #14! When I look for reasons to be grateful it reminds me of God’s blessings which are plentiful!
    Thank you for your ideas and sharing!

    • Cindi
      April 8, 2020 @ 3:44 am
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      Reply

      Thank you, Lynn, for sharing what YOU have been doing, as well. What a wonderful way to keep God’s blessings in front of us instead of sinking into depression or despair.

  8. Verlinda Barnett
    April 8, 2020 @ 4:18 pm
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    Reply

    This was awesome! Thanks so much for reminding us of this time that we have to use more wisely. By reading, studying, and praying to connect more with God.
    I have been thanking God daily for His blessings through this pandemic. I had not been writing in down though. Will definitely start.

    Blessings to you and your family

    Verlinda Barnett

    • Cindi
      April 8, 2020 @ 7:44 pm
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      Reply

      Verlinda,
      Thanks for taking the time to read and to comment. Donna and I were both encouraged by your response. 🙂

  9. Sally Ann Price
    April 8, 2020 @ 4:56 pm
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    Reply

    This has really been a rough thing to handle. I take a walk almost everyday. I can’t meet with the womens choir at church and also sing with the regular choir, because we cannot meet at this time. I also miss going to church. They have a service from my church on Sunday on the internet, and Easter we cannot meet. They will have an Easter service on the internet, and I think also a Maundy Thursday and Good Friday I believe on the internet. The children were suppose to sing Palm Sunday and they couldn’t except singing from their house when the pianist played it at the benediction on the internet. I am praying a lot more during the day.

    • Cindi
      April 8, 2020 @ 7:43 pm
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      Reply

      Yes, it’s pretty much that way all over, Sally Ann. But we will get through this. The body of Christ is realizing we must find a way to stay connected apart from physical contact right now, and I believe it will make us more determined to meet together again once it’s safe to do so. Stay encouraged and stay in prayer…God is drawing our hearts closer to Himself right now.

  10. Jo Blasi
    April 9, 2020 @ 2:59 pm
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    Reply

    Thank you so much for Donna’s words of encouragement and wisdom. I feel really inspired this morning.

    • Cindi
      April 9, 2020 @ 3:33 pm
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      Reply

      Glad to hear it, Jo. 🙂

  11. Kathy
    April 13, 2020 @ 4:20 pm
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    Reply

    I am inspired to fill up the empty spaces in each day on my calendar with a note of praise or how God worked in me. It is hard to realize we are in a holding pattern, but it gives us the treasure of time to work on projects and prayer that long have been neglected. I am assured that the Lord will bring about good from this time of “sheltering in place.”

    • Cindi
      April 13, 2020 @ 4:58 pm
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      Reply

      I agree, Kathy. Thank you for taking the time to leave your thoughts and hopes on this blog. 🙂

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