Here are a few more thoughts about our coronavirus lockdown.

Doug Nuenke, U.S. President of The Navigators, shared with us in a video message some advice from Admiral Stockdale, highest ranking prisoner of war during the Viet Nam war: always have hope, but also always acknowledge the reality of your situation.

That reminded me of something else Admiral Stockdale said. I heard it years ago, and I don’t know the source, but he was frequently asked, “Who didn’t make it out? What were the characteristics of the men who died in captivity?” Stockdale replied something like this, which I think is applicable to our current coronovirus lockdown:

That’s easy. The ones who didn’t make it out were the optimists. The ones who kept saying, “We’ll be home by Christmas. They’ll let us out by Easter.” Those are the men who died in captivity. –Admiral James Stockdale, POW in Viet Nam for 7 years

If you’re like me, you’re hoping for a quick end to all this. I’m supposed to speak at Spring Canyon June 27 – July 4 (join us!). I’m praying that it’ll be business as usual by then. But it might not be. Our governor said he hopes to lift restrictions by April 26, but others are saying don’t expect normal life for a while.

We will need what Ignatius of Loyola called a holy indifference to our expectations and schedules.

You ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4.15, NIV)

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4.12, 13, NIV)