In the wake of COVID-19

Covid-19--the first pandemic I remember ever having to live through. In 31 years, I don't recall the world shutting down for a virus. Flu outbreaks have happened, H1N1, SARS, all these epidemics happened, yet none shut down our world. In this time of crisis, it seems as though our world is going one of two directions--complete fear and anxiety as to what is to come, or complete reliance on the Lord; remembering He is still on the throne. 
I've been in my house for 3 days now, with no physical contact with the outside world, and I can say that it does start to wear on one's emotional state. Even as an introvert, I still long for physical contact with people. Yesterday I even started having a pity party a little bit over what's going on in the world--but how selfish of me to do that. How completely selfish of me, when I'm healthy and I have food and a home and although I don't have physical contact, technology is a wonderful thing that keeps us together. Today I woke up humbled. Today I woke up and remembered all the blessings God has given me, and all the means of communication He has provided--and I was brought to my knees before the Lord. 
We all have stuff going on during this time of insanity. I'm working from home to ensure my students are receiving their education still. In fact I just finished a google hangouts session with 3 of my students. I discovered during that small session just how important my work is to some of my students. One of my students passionately expressed to me how bad she felt for Confucius who died believing he was a failure. She would have never expressed this passion in the classroom, but when it was just a few of us together, in the comfort of our homes, she showed me a side to her I'd never seen. That in itself is amazing. This pandemic is allowing me to get to know my students through a virtual outlet. 
I have other friends who are working still to make sure their businesses continue thriving, and others still who are working with the public because they are in the medical field. I pray for them to stay healthy, but I also pray I can respect their time and understand life is overwhelming and crazy. 
This pandemic is strange and new to all of us. While it can be a scary time, do not forget who is in control. Our savior loves us, He saw this coming, and He will win over it all. "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7 
Do not give up on who God is, and how in control He is. Pray. Don't just pray for yourself or your friends. Pray for our nation and our world. Pray that others would come to know Jesus during this time. Pray that this would bring us all closer to Him as we spend time in His word. There's no excuse not to spend time in God's word right now. Keep in touch with your friends and family. Everyone has things going on, but we all need human contact (even us introverts). 
Give to relief organizations, and to churches. 
Serve those who need you if you can. 
Ultimately, remember who God is during this time, and who you belong to. 
The coronavirus can be scary--but we are not to be in fear, for Christ is by our side.