Your Stay-at-Home Survival Guide

Drenda Keesee • April 3, 2020
With most of us on some sort of stay-at-home order, or being forced to homeschool your kids, or fill the hours with things to do, odds are you're looking for ideas to keep stay-at-home life from feeling like stuck-at-home-forever life.

In an ideal world, extra family time sounds great. But practicing social distancing with your family for an indefinite time period can seem daunting. And what happens when everyone goes stir crazy and there's nowhere for you to go?

Just because you have to stay home doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time.

Here are some tips and ideas for how to make the most of your time while you’re staying at home!

Remember, be mindful.

Nobody wants to live in isolation. Be mindful of how your children are processing this. It’s important for them to be aware that something is happening and that's why they must change their routine. But it’s also important for parents not to place their stress and concern on their children.

Here are some stay-at-home survival tips!

 1. Come up with a post-quarantine bucket list.

Make a post-quarantine bucket list with all the things you wish you could be doing right now!

Many of us are wishing for the simple things right now, like going out to eat together, going to the movies, shopping at the mall, watching March Madness, preseason baseball, or going to a park.

Every time you or someone in your family wishes they were doing something that you can't do right now, put it on your bucket list for a future family day. Once the stay-at-home order is over, work through the list, and be grateful for the simple things most of us used to take for granted.

 2. Have a game night.


Break out the puzzles and board games! With all of the technology available today, it can be tempting to just let our kids play XBox or binge watch Netflix or Disney+ all day. Even though you may all be in the same house, it's still important to interact. Play some games, even if it’s just a few times a week. Plan times to set aside all of the devices, turn off the news, and spend time together.

Movie nights are also a fun idea. There are so many ways to digitally access movies from your home. Many streaming services even offer a free trial period. Find a movie to watch as a family, or a TV show to watch a few episodes of together each week. Having something to watch as a family will be a lot more enjoyable than each person watching their shows individually.


3. Maintain some kind of structure, including time to get energy out.

It can be really tempting to just stay in pajamas all day, not set your alarm clock, and let everyone just do whatever they want. One day or an occasional day like that is fun, but you should try to keep your kids on as close to a normal schedule as possible for the most part.

Don’t get stuck in the habit of sleeping in, staying up late, snacking all day, and not doing any physical activity. Go on a walk and get some fresh air. It’s okay to bend the rules some, but acting like it’s eternal spring break will cause you to feel sluggish and create habits that will be hard to break when this has all passed.

Have everyone wake up at a consistent time, eat meals on your normal schedule, complete their schoolwork before playtime, or with scheduled breaks, and plan for recess. Let your kids play outside to get their energy out!


4. Tap into resources online, then take them offline.

Homeschooling can be challenging when you're not forced to do it, let alone being mandated to educate your child. Cut yourself some slack. Be sure to look for resources online to help you, as well as what the schools are providing.

When possible, look for ideas to have your kids get creative or learn a new skill offline. It’s much easier said than done, but it is possible to encourage learning offline. Try teaching your kids how to cook a meal, how to garden, even a chore that needs done!

 
5. Take time for yourself.

This is important. You need this time to prevent burnout. Go for a walk, wake up early to have some quiet time, or take some time to yourself when your kids are having screen time. Take a nice bath, spend time in prayer, do a project on your own, or get some things done that you need to do.

It’s important to take care of yourself during this time so that you can take care of your family as well.

 
6. Do a family Bible study.

This one is simple, but it’s probably one of the most important stay-at-home survival tips there is!

Church is now online, so watch as a family and spend some time discussing it!

If you have young kids, we have free children’s programming available at faithlifenowTV.com.  Watch some programs together or pick a book of the Bible to read and discuss. There are also lots of online resources available on how to do a Bible study with kids. Get creative!


7. Practice gratitude.

You may be feeling overwhelmed with everything that's been going on and life being turned upside down, but I want to encourage you to practice gratitude during this time. See the extra time you have with your family as a blessing. Think about the people who have to stay-at-home alone during this season and how (most) of them would give anything to have other people with them.

Take advantage of the family time. Go on a hike, watch some movies, just be together. Use this time to learn a new skill, start a new task, or go further in your walk with God—this time will pass, and life will get back to normal!

By Gary Keesee October 10, 2025
Reading Time 3 mins 42 secs – When most people hear the word success, they picture a number in a bank account, a title on a door, or applause from a crowd. Those things aren’t wrong, but they’re not the whole story. Kingdom success is the fruit of living aligned with God’s presence, God’s purpose, and God’s principles. It’s success that sticks in your family, your finances, your calling, and your soul. What God Calls “Success” The Bible defines success as prospering in what God has assigned you to do. Joshua was told to keep God’s Word front and center. You shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. —Joshua 1:8b (NIV) Success begins with alignment, not achievement. When your ways line up with His ways, outcomes change. Success Grows Where Purpose Lives You weren’t designed to drift; you were designed to steward. Deuteronomy 8:18 says God gives you the power to create wealth—not so you can worship wealth but so you can build, bless, and advance His Kingdom. Purpose answers why you’re pursuing something. When your why is right, God can trust you with more. Ask yourself: What problem has God wired me to solve? Who gets helped when I win? How does this goal move God’s purpose forward? Three Pillars of Kingdom Success Presence – Success starts by seeking God first (Matthew 6:33). In His presence, you get clarity, courage, and correction. Purpose – Your assignment sets the target. Aimless motion is not momentum. Practice – Faith works when you work the principles. Plan, sow, and act; God multiplies. Principles That Produce God’s system isn’t random. There’s a time to plant seeds and a time to harvest. If you plant the right seeds consistently, a harvest is inevitable. In Proverbs 16:3, we’re reminded to commit whatever we do to the Lord, and He will establish our plans. Think like a steward and ask, “What have I been given?”(such as time, gifts, relationships, and ideas). Manage them with excellence. Choose excellence daily and do your work heartily as for the Lord, because excellence attracts opportunity. Prioritize wisdom by reading, learning, and surrounding yourself with people who sharpen you. Guard your words; there’s power in the words you speak, so take time to intentionally speak truth. Speak words that are in line with God’s promise rather than with fear. In Luke 16:10, we’re reminded to take faith steps, because small obedient steps multiply, and the servant that is faithful with little can be trusted with much. Break the Success Killers Break the success killers by refusing comparison, which steals both joy and peace. Instead, stay focused on running your own race and celebrating progress over perfection. Avoid hurrying, because quick fixes create fragile results, while patience and process create durable success. Replace excuses like “I can’t” with the empowering mindset of “How can I, with God’s help?” Finally, reject isolation, because lone wolf living limits growth, while community, mentors, and partners in purpose accelerate you. When you consistently choose these healthier patterns, you build the resilience and clarity needed to sustain long-term success. A Weekly Success Rhythm Seek (Daily): 10–15 minutes in the Word and prayer to align your heart and hear strategy. Plan (Weekly): Review your goals and priorities to ensure alignment. Decide your top three Kingdom outcomes for the week. Sow (Consistently): Give, serve, and invest in your skills. Measure (Weekly): What moved forward? What needs adjusting? Celebrate progress, then iterate. Rest (Sabbath): Rest is not wasted time; it’s faith in action . When Progress Feels Slow Psalm 1 paints a picture: a person planted by streams, bearing fruit in season . Not every day looks like a harvest day. Some days are root days. Stay planted. Keep sowing. Harvests have a schedule, and God is never late. A Simple Prayer Father, thank You for calling me to succeed Your way. Align my heart with Your presence, clarify my purpose, and teach me to practice Your principles with diligence and joy. I commit my plans to You. Give me wisdom, clarity, and strength to steward what You’ve placed in my hands. Use my success to bless others and advance Your Kingdom. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen. Carry This with You Success in the Kingdom isn’t a finish line; it’s a faithful life . Start where you are. Work with what you have. Obey what God says. Expect His favor. As you align with His presence, purpose, and principles, you’ll see results that last, results that outlive you, and point people to Him.
September 5, 2025
Reading Time 2 mins 56 secs – Take a moment and think about this: faith isn’t just for the mountaintop moments. It’s for Mondays. It’s for traffic jams, unexpected bills, and the times when you’re just trying to get through the week. God never designed faith to be complicated or out of reach. He designed it to be your everyday operating system. Faith Is for Today Sometimes, we picture faith as something we have to “muster up” for significant challenges, like praying for healing, believing for a miracle, or asking for a breakthrough in a crisis. And while faith absolutely applies to those moments, it’s also for the little ones. Faith is choosing to trust God with your attitude in a tough conversation. Faith is deciding to believe He’ll provide, even when your budget looks thin. Faith is remembering you’re never alone, even when you feel overlooked. Second Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, “ For we live by faith, not by sight. ” Notice it doesn’t say “visit by faith” or “use faith once in a while.” It says live. Faith was always meant to be your way of life. Small Steps, Strong Roots Faith doesn’t usually grow in leaps; it grows in steps. Little, steady decisions that put your trust in God day after day. Opening your Bible instead of scrolling on your phone first thing in the morning Speaking truth over yourself when your feelings want to run the show Praying before making a decision instead of relying only on logic These may not seem dramatic, but they lay a strong foundation. And just like a tree with deep roots, your faith will keep you standing strong when storms come. God Is Faithful, Even When Life Isn’t Here’s the best part: your faith doesn’t rest on your ability to figure everything out. It rests on God’s ability to be faithful. And He is. Always. When you feel shaky, remember this: God is steady. When you feel uncertain, remember this: His promises are sure. When you feel small, remember this: faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. You don’t need giant faith for God to move. You just need real faith in a giant God. Faith That Shows Up in Action Faith isn’t just belief in your heart; it’s trust that shows up in your choices. James 2:17 says, faith without works is dead, which means faith comes alive when you act on it. That could look like forgiving when it’s hard, giving when it feels impossible, or stepping into an opportunity that scares you, but you know God is calling you to. Every time you take action in faith, you’re making a declaration: “God, I trust You more than my feelings, more than my circumstances, and more than what I see.” That kind of faith not only changes your life, but it also inspires others to believe. A Simple Prayer to Start With “Lord, thank You that faith isn’t complicated. Teach me to live by faith in the small things and the big things. I trust You with my today, my tomorrow, and every detail of my life. Strengthen my heart and remind me that You are faithful. In Jesus’s name, amen.” Take This with You Faith isn’t a moment. It’s a mindset. It’s not about pretending life is easy. It’s about trusting God, no matter what life looks like. Friend, you don’t need to wait for a crisis to practice faith. You can start today, right where you are, with whatever you’re carrying. Take a step. Speak His Word. Trust His heart. Because faith isn’t just for the extraordinary, it’s for the everyday. And your everyday is exactly where God loves to show up.
By Gary Keesee August 15, 2025
Reading Time 2 mins 49 secs – Okay, let’s take a breath. Not everything has to be heavy, and healing doesn’t have to feel impossible or mysterious. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded that God actually wants us to feel better. Yes, you included. God Cares About How You Feel We can get so used to pushing through that we forget God never designed us to live burned out, worn out, or always dealing with pain. Third John (NIV) 1:2b says, “ I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well .” God’s heart is not just that we survive life. His heart is that we thrive—spirit, soul, and body. That includes your sleep. That includes your energy. That includes your mind and your moods. Healing Isn’t Just for Emergencies Most of us wait to think about healing until something significant goes wrong. A diagnosis. A surgery. A crisis. However, healing is an integral part of your daily life as a believer. You don’t have to wait for something to fall apart to lean into God’s promises. It’s kind of like drinking water; your body needs it regularly, not just when you're dehydrated. The Word is the same. It brings strength, clarity, and peace to your health before the storm hits. You’re allowed to believe in a life where you’re not constantly recovering—you’re well. Small Shifts, Big Results Maybe you’ve been dealing with something for a while—nothing catastrophic, just something that lingers. A chronic ache. Fatigue. Brain fog. A stress habit that’s hard to shake. Can I encourage you? You don’t have to settle for “just getting by.” Start speaking life over your body. Make simple changes in faith; walk a little more, drink more water, eat a bit better, get quiet with God. Healing isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes, it happens gently. Daily. Gradually. The power of God isn’t always loud, but it’s always effective. The Best Kind of Doctor He doesn’t rush your appointment. He’s never stumped by your symptoms. And He doesn’t hand you a bill at the end. He simply says, “Come to Me.” Come tired. Come unsure. Come with your questions. And He’ll give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Yes, He heals in big, miraculous ways—but He also heals in little moments of laughter, sunlight, worship, and truth. Let’s Make This Simple Healing isn’t about performance. It’s about proximity—staying close to the Healer. So, take the pressure off today. You’re not failing if you’re still waiting. You’re not disqualified if you’ve had some doubts. You’re growing. You’re learning. And most of all, you’re loved. Let healing be a conversation you have with God, not a crisis you fear. Let it be part of your everyday life with Him, not just a 911 prayer when things feel scary. A Simple Prayer to Start With “Lord, thank You that You care about every part of me. You know when I’m tired, hurting, anxious, or overwhelmed. Thank You for being my Healer, not just in emergencies but in the everyday. I receive Your peace and Your promises. I speak life over my body and my mind today, in Jesus’s name. Amen.” Take This with You Healing doesn’t have to feel far away or hard to reach. It’s not reserved for the super spiritual or the desperate. It’s available, it’s real, and it’s for right now. You don’t have to make it complicated. Just take one step. Open the Word, talk to God, speak life over yourself, and trust that He’s working behind the scenes. You don’t have to live in survival mode. You were made for wholeness. And friend? You’re allowed to feel better.