74 packs

As you probably are aware, a lot of things in the world are completely out of our control right now. Specifically, the coronavirus. The government and many other countries are now taking many precautions by encouraging schools, universities, workplaces, airports, the NBA, and many more public places to shut down. Whether you agree with this or not, you probably do agree that these actions affect us severely, but there’s not much we can currently change about it. We can wash our hands, take our online classes (or attempt to relax if you have none), and try to stay away from big groups of people. These are about the only simple measures we can take, and everything else is up in the air.

Yet, this isn’t really something new in our lives. Life is uncontrollable, and no matter how much you want to change something, sometimes you just have to roll with the punches for a bit. Seasons come and go, and life can throw curveballs at us that we aren’t prepared for. Often when these events occur, we can get caught in the moment and freak out, searching for answers right away. We can try to fix everything right in the moment. We run around trying to find a solution, which can end up causing more problems for others and ourselves (i.e. the toilet paper drought).

While I haven’t bought 74 packs of toilet paper this week, I certainly can compare this to other actions I have taken in my life.

I absolutely despise being in arguments. They’re so unexpected, and you can’t prepare for every single one you’re going to have. It’s not as if you tell yourself, “Okay, I’m going to make THIS person upset today” (at least I hope you don’t, haha). I don’t like the feeling of not getting along with someone, or potentially hurting someone else’s feelings… I start to feel really sick to my stomach (literally), and most of the time can’t fall asleep if I am in a disagreement with someone.

So, I try to fix it all at once. I’ll tell the other person we need to talk, even if it's not really helpful to talk right then and there. I want them to express all their feelings so we can figure out the best conclusion. The problem is, especially when we’re really mad, sometimes we don’t know how to voice it (and if we do, it may not be the best words). These things are out of my control, and sometimes I just have to be okay with not everything being okay at the moment.

Life is messy, but there’s nothing you can do to stop all of the mud from getting on your shoes. When it does, you can just simply wipe it off. Or wash them. Or deep clean them. But you can’t get frustrated because there’s nothing you can do immediately, because some things just can’t be in your control. So, amidst all the chaos right now, I hope you can be wise but also be able to take a breath. Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33