Creating Calm During Times Like These
Unlike at any other time in our history, we witness extraordinary events. Many of you have lost your spouse, and others are afraid of losing a loved one because of the unknown of what you are being told in the media. Worry and fear are natural reactions, often caused by your lack of control.
Information is essential, but the 24/7 news cycle, whose job is to keep you in a state of panic, is causing fear and unrest. If you turn it off, your stress will immediately be reduced.
The coronavirus pandemic creates mental and emotional stress, leading to fear and worry. Of all the fake news being blasted out over the media, there is one source that is always correct and has never changed since the beginning of time. Let me stop here for a moment and let the words below speak from the Bible. Everyone would enjoy reading the following, even if they don’t usually attend any church.
THE BIBLE SAYS: “For this reason, I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
And who of you can add a single hour to his life by being worried?
And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon, in all his glory, clothed himself like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow, is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
Do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’
For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek His kingdom and righteousness first, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25-33
A lot of fears and some tears are being triggered right now. Hopefully, you will pause today and digest the words above and find that #1, you are not alone, and #2, spend time helping others instead of worrying about yourself. I say this because your stress and anxieties go down when you are busy helping others who can’t help themselves. If, after helping others, you find yourself still under attack, talk with a trusted friend.
If you feel you want to hurt yourself, call 911 and get help. You are worth it.
I want to stop this post by giving you a short but pointed video from Dr. Tony Evans. I woke up this morning with this message in my heart to share with you, and then I received Dr. Evans’ video message, and I have never heard it said better. The video is concise but calming and reassuring and provides the calm I desire for you. May you be blessed with his message.