Minimizing the Damage and Maximizing the Potential Tips:
Marriage:
- Prayer
- Prayer with and for each other is the #1 tip. Approaching Gods throne to cast your cares and allow him to fuel your mind, heart and spirit. Ask God for wisdom, peace, focus healing, and strength.
- Matthew 18:20 reminds us when 2 or more gather in my name there I am with them. And as we know We need God in crisis. Ask God to show you the needs of your spouse during the crisis.
- Take on a spirit of Humility
- In times of crisis naturally we default to self protection. However Philippians 2: 3 remindsus Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- As husbands/ wives we are responsible to support each other in /through crisis. Engage your senses and check in with your spouse in an intentional way. Ask how you’re feeling? , what’s on your mind? , etc
- Giving space to allow the other to express thoughts, vent, cry, etc without judgement or fixing the problem. Simply acknowledging your spouses feelings creates an environment of peace, openness, trust and vulnerability all of which are crucial and pivotal for breakthrough.
- Keep it all in perspective, take one day at a time. Everyone handles crisis differently.
Financial:
- Don’t panic! Do your research to make sure you understand your income options (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) ACT stimulus plan) and your payment options.
- Create an emergency spending plan. In other words, your expenses might be prioritized differently at this time. The terms that we are hearing now apply to prioritizing our finances. What’s essential, nonessential, and luxury.
- Communicate with your lenders and let them know that you are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. REMEMBER each lender is different so do your research
- What are my options?
- If an option is deferment:
- How long is the deferment?
- Will late fees be waived?
- What happens after the deferment period? Is full payment due immediately? Will payments be added at the end of the loan term or added to the balance with accrued interest?
Health:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NKJV
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.