What The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Teaching Us in Life and Business

When the clock struck 12 on the first of January 2020, I committed to my theme of the year as I always do every New Year. This year's theme is CRAZY FAITH.

Inspired by Transformation Church's sermon series led by Pastor Mike Todd, I've personally hand-picked and meditated over this theme. In the series, he defined crazy faith as "thoughts and actions that lack reason but trusting fully in what you cannot explicitly prove". Having crazy faith means that for this year and beyond, I'm choosing to surrender, let go, and let God -- not only in business, not only in relationships but in all aspects of life.

I'm going to be completely honest with you. For the past quarter, it hasn't always been easy. With everything that's happening around the world especially this current COVID-19 pandemic, not knowing exactly what's going to happen in the near future and not having planned everything kills me. It makes me anxious. It makes me so, so scared.

But I always go back to the ONE thing that isn't changing and that's God, that's His Word. Culture, society, and circumstances change but His love doesn't. No matter what happens, He always keeps His promises.

"The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness."

John 10:10 (GNT)

Knowing this, we may sometimes feel anxiety (which is normal) but our faith and hope shall never flail. When you think about it, we're like trees. No matter how strong the wind gets, as long as we're grounded in our roots (God), we can only ever bend and not uprooted.

Since it's almost Easter, I wanted to share with you the five things that the recent circumstances (i.e. COVID-19 situation, Kobe Bryant's death, etc.) this year have taught me. Because of the lockdown, I've spent quite some time alone with my thoughts and reflecting on these things. I hope that these realizations will help you strengthen your faith as much it did to me.

5 Lessons in Life During COVID-19

Life Is Fleeting.

It's so humbling to know that we may be gone from this world at any time. I believe there's nothing morbid about this. In fact, accepting this is life-changing, empowering even.

We don't own our lives, let alone our time here on earth. God has planned out every single second of our lives even before we were born, but he's handed us the choice of how we're going to live our lives. The question is -- how are you living your life?

Knowing that any time may be our last means we get to have the urgency factor. If the clock is ticking, how should I make each moment count?

Our Relationship With God and His Purpose for Us Come First.

There's a reason why God allows these things to happen. I believe one of those reasons is to turn us all back to Him. Because when our eyes are focused on Him, everything that once was scary has no hold on us anymore.

If we choose to focus on the things that are temporary such as the economic and political situations, the lack of medical supplies, the growing number of cases, etc., we're always going to be crippled with fear.

But, when we choose to keep our eyes on God, nothing is truly frightening anymore. We know that He's already won the victory. We know that He alone knows all His plans for us which are plans to bring us prosperity and not disaster (Jeremiah 29:11). We know that this is just our temporary home and this is just preparing us for our eternal home.

When you shift your perspective on these things, doesn't it feel like a load has been lifted off your shoulder? Take these lessons in life during COVID-19 and even after all this has died down.

Relationships Matter More Than All the Worldly, Material Things.

If luxury and vanity stuff matter so much more before, this pandemic has turned the world upside down. Everyone has begun to realize that relationships matter more than any worldly, material thing.

People are forced to stay at home, which made them spend more time with their families. Even if people are miles from each other, they're now socializing more than ever, even just via online.

If you look around and watch the good news, you'll learn just how much people have been creative and resourceful just so they can have fun, spend time, and support each other.

This, then, has changed the landscape of relationships. There's really no getting back to normal. COVID-19 has changed everyone's lives and perspectives.

We're All Co-Existing. Hence, We Should All Have Each Other's Backs.

Doctors, nurses, politicians, entrepreneurs, social workers, grocery workers -- literally everyone from so many different industries has been helping each other all along. This means we cannot survive alone in this world. This means God made humanity for unity. This means community is everything.

This is one of the lessons in life during COVID-19 for me.

No matter how much we think we have in this world, we'll still have gaps in our lives that other people can fill and help us with.

And generally, it's even more fulfilling when we give and help each other. True joy comes from a generous heart. So, in times like this, don't hesitate to find people who you can grace and share your blessings with.

Adopt a family if you can. Help out and do the groceries for seniors who are more vulnerable during these times. Donate to organizations that are providing the needs of frontliners. Just do something. In the end, it doesn't matter how big or small your donation is. What matters is your intention and where your heart is when you give.

Surrender and Let Go of Trying to Control Everything.

Last year, my theme of the year was "Massive Action & Abundance". It was good because it gave me momentum on my business but it did burn me out a lot. I was taking lots of action, but I was always trying to figure out how everything will work out for me and my business. I was taking action with the intention of moving my business forward, but I forgot to acknowledge God before I did anything. That caused me to take lots of projects that weren't meant for me at all which, then, caused me to stretch myself thin in most aspects of my life.

Until I suddenly had health issues. That was something that stopped me in my tracks and forced me to slow down. Health issues weren't something I can control anymore. I was so scared, so anxious... and guess what -- I knocked on God's door.

I figured times of pain and suffering like the one we're having now is God's call for us to surrender unto Him everything -- and I mean EVERYTHING -- in our lives. The tiny little details that we think He doesn't care about? He does.

So, you see, if you're feeling anxious right now whether it's about your business, your job, or your life in general -- TRUST IN HIM. There's a song that says, "Even when I don't see it, you're working; Even when I don't feel it, you're working..." so hold onto that.

Once you surrender to Him and let Him guide you in all the steps you should take from here, you're going to have way less pressure, less weight on your shoulders. Because you know that He's got your back no. matter. what.

These are the five main lessons in life during COVID-19 for me. As for you, what are the things you're realizing in times like this? Comment below or share them on your Instagram stories and tag me at @myrrakate. I'd be happy to hear them!

Stay safe and as much as possible, stay at home! This too shall pass.

Cheers,
Myrra