I’m grateful for this all encompassing peace that I have within me that comes from my loving Father and savior, Jesus Christ. Despite seeing the world being in fear and worry over this pandemic, my peace and joy have not been stolen. It remains and I stand firm knowing that our LORD is in full control. I do not put my hope in human structures that will crumble with the passing of time but in a God who breathed all created things into existence.

I still believe in taking the necessary precautions to stay healthy and protect those around me. God gave each person their talents and especially those doctors and health workers serving selflessly on the front lines and he has given pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals breakthroughs in medicines to help heal us.

I am grateful for the work that has found me and increased during this pandemic. I know this was only provided by the hands of Jesus, the prayers of my friends, and I cannot take credit for it.

I’m grateful for all the home DIY projects that I find to do with my hands such as installing an electrical fence, a new garage door opener, a new bathroom fan, fixing my riding lawnmower, replacing all our lights with LEDs, and sealing doors—without any previous experience.

I’m grateful for the friends who ask for help and those whom I can help with my technology experience.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, then you can understand what that peace is but if you’re not, here’s my suggestions for how you can avoid those stir-crazy feels. I’ve used some of these to help me too.

Listen to music that brings you up rather than brings you down. It’s been so helpful for me to listen to gospel and instrumental music because it helps to remind me of Jesus’ words of encouragement found in the Bible.

Find projects you can do around your house, preferably that long honey-do list that you’ve been too busy to do. Find projects you enjoy doing that bring a smile to your thoughts or a sense of accomplishment.

Get out of the house and take a walk. It’s best if you can find a nature trail where you can set aside the cares of life and listen to the birds or bubbling brook. Set your phone to Do Not Disturb but allow your family to call you for emergencies and turn off all sounds and vibration unless your family calls. Go hiking with your family and have a picnic.

Take a photo walk and set your phone to Do Not Disturb as mentioned above. Just take photos with your camera or phone’s camera then write a few sentences about your walk and caption each photo. Don’t edit any of them, take them in camera as you want them to look. That means you’re not taking snapshots but you’re immersing yourself in the walk and crouching low for those closeups or sitting on a bench for closeups of the details. Then post them to your blog or Facebook after you’ve come home to your favorite chair, bean bag, or hammock.

Remember that you are a part of a family or part of a community or that you have friends who appreciate you. Pick up the phone and remind them that you were thinking about them. They, like you, are missing that community. A relaxed, not rushed, cheerful chat can lift both of your spirits. Being with family and talking or pulling out those long forgotten board games or puzzles and spending time together is better than passing the time in silence by watching a movie or possessed by your devices.

Don’t be in denial that this pandemic is happening but also don’t needlessly waste your time caught up with the news, especially that fake news and click bait. Turn off all your social media notifications and social media emails. Choose to spend an hour or less on social media or other media once every three days. Focus that time on my suggestions or find other practical things you can do.

Be intentional with your time and stay humble. Volunteer your time and be considerate of others and their needs. Be generous. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Respect their decisions and concerns about their safety boundaries.

Consider your family’s health before heading out. Put on a mask, gloves, don’t touch your face, ignore the itch, use hand sanitizer, and wash your hands up to your elbows with warm water and soap for 20 seconds at the very least. Use Lysol wipes to clean off every surface you touch in and out of your car as you use it. Leave your shoes on the porch. If you’ve been around people while grocery shopping even if six feet apart, put your clothes in the wash or hamper and put on fresh clothes after taking a hot soapy shower.

Stay healthy. Stay safe.