If Our Lives Didn't Revolve Around COVID-19 . . .

If our lives didn't revolve around COVID-19, we would feel compassion for certain friends instead of annoyance or anger or impatience.

If our lives weren't dictated by COVID-19, we wouldn't fearfully contemplate viral droplets after an unplanned visit with people outside our regular circles.

If our lives weren't so swayed by COVID-19, we wouldn't formulate rebuttal arguments hours after others had foisted questionable news upon us.

If our happiness wasn't based on COVID-19, we wouldn't begrudge the authorities whenever we submitted to their ordinances.

If our moods weren't controlled by COVID-19, we wouldn't feel the need to vent pent-up opinions about other's contradictory thought patterns. 

If our opinions about ourselves weren't so altered by COVID-19, we wouldn't be afraid to ask others to hang out even if they'd most likely say no.

If our self-confidence operated apart from COVID-19, we wouldn't have trouble asking others for help when we needed it.

If our goodness wasn't undermined by COVID-19, we wouldn't feel threatened by others when they questioned us or disagreed with us or reacted adversely when we established our boundaries. 

If our love wasn't proved false by COVID-19, we would recognize everyone's presence as valuable regardless of their stance on this issue.

If our strength wasn't related to our ability to avoid COVID-19, we wouldn't feel caged or powerless to effect change or make good choices on our own.

If we weren't so focused on COVID-19, we wouldn't base all our decisions on COVID-19 and its effects on the world. 

If our lives didn't revolve around COVID-19, we wouldn't be living to survive but living to live without fear, without anxiety, without rage, without impatience, and without offense.

If our lives didn't revolve around COVID-19 but around the Son of God, this virus would take a back seat to the gratitude we feel because all our backwards ways won't be held against us. COVID-19 would be powerless to affect the freedom we now have from being controlled by moods or circumstances or fears. COVID-19 would be nothing in comparison to the boundless supply of the Spirit's fruit now available to us through no effort of our own but through resting in the fellowship of him.

If our lives didn't revolve around COVID-19, there'd be no need to write this blog.