There are plenty of great ideas and thoughts out there for how you should, or should have, responded to the Covid-19 crisis. No matter how great we are, we probably could have done better.

But that’s the thing with crisis. You don’t get the privilege of planning ahead for it.

So what is your metric for how to respond to such times? Do you have a generic attitude adjustment for tough times? I do. I just don’t always follow it very well. Why? Because it requires my taking a step back, and gaining some perspective on the moment, even if it doesn’t seem like I have time for it. In fact, that is the time I probably need to follow it the most.

Otherwise, it is easy to catastrophize, vilify, speculate, and make unhelpful decisions. In fact, in the face of crisis, if I am not on purpose and on mission, those are the very things I start to do. Make enemies, hole myself up, and avoid wise counsel. That just sounds terrible.

So what is my metric? (Keep in mind, I am a christian and I help churches do their best, in case you have trouble with my using the Bible)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

That’s it. That’s the whole shebang. Those key words are the ones I use when organizing rules for a group dialogue. They are helpful in setting the stage for peeling apart hurts from the past, and sorting the building blocks for the future. These are words for any situation, to help an individual ‘reset’ their mindset for being at peace, and being purposeful.

So, looking at your future responses to things you read online, in your emails, or hear from friends. Ask yourself this:

1. Is it true?
2. Is it noble?
3. Is it right?
4. Is it pure?
5. Is it lovely?
6. Is it admirable?
7. Is it excellent or praiseworthy?

If it’s not, is it worth giving it free mental space?

Need some help with the above? Or do you have a situation that needs greater clarity? Let me know:

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