Coronavirus (COVID-19) – How to Deal with the Anxiety
Here’s a helpful way to deal with the anxiety, stress of the Coronavirus or any worry, and live with greater peace…
For many, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has escalated to an alarming concern.
You might also feel anxiety over some other issue. Daily we are confronted with all sorts of reasons to feel stressed.
We are no longer merely aware of what’s affecting us personally. We’re aware of serious problems in every corner of the world…every day…every minute.
News outlets feed our fear, our human tendency to pay attention to what is alarming.
However, most of what causes anxiety is very personal. It’s what’s going on in our lives.
It’s that sinking feeling that we can’t control the circumstances. We feel at risk. Powerless. It is the fear of something happening to us or someone we love, and we can’t escape it nor do anything to change it.
Is there a way to experience peace in the midst of this? The answer is Yes!
Peace in the Midst of the Coronavirus
This article will give you real, reliable ways to gain peace in the face of the Coronavirus outbreak or other anxious-causing circumstances.
First, a word about medications. If you usually struggle with anxiety, if your anxiety causes you to spiral into depression and thoughts of self-harm, please see a doctor for medical help. There might be a chemical imbalance that requires medication. Sometimes there are patterns, pathways in our brains that might need medical help in order to form new pathways of thought.
Just like diabetics need insulin, there are medications that allow you to view concerns more objectively, more calmly. Medications have shown to significantly improve the lives of many who suffer with anxiety.
However, being able to view situations calmly and rationally is only part of a solution. It helps, but it stops short of providing real peace. It’s like a person who has a broken leg and stops walking on it. It helps. But they still have a broken leg.
Being able to hear the coronavirus is subsiding in your country helps, but there are so many other potential causes of anxiety. Life is challenging.
What we need is an inner peace that is enduring, that allows your mind and heart to rest, in spite of difficult situations.
A Reliable Approach in Anxious Situations
Some people suggest, “Just view the circumstances differently, or tell yourself it’s not that bad.” It’s hard to view the Coronavirus (COVID-19) differently when thousands of people are being diagnosed with it and number of deaths are climbing.
Like mind games to try to distract you from real problems, mere positive thinking without substance will not give you peace.
We need an approach that would be reliable no matter what life throws at us.
Many people are hoping that science will find both a cure and prevention of the Coronavirus. However, as viruses go, it is also likely that it will be with us, even in mutated forms, for years. Science is not all-knowing or all-powerful.
Science Points to a Solution
Science can actually bring people to acknowledge God’s existence… the earth’s perfect position to the sun, the complex properties of water, the design of the human body, etc. The multitude of scientific facts required for there to be life on earth made “chance” nonsensical.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Peace While Facing Fear
Knowing God exists and that He actually cares about us has a profound impact on our ability to be at peace no matter what the circumstances.
Picture an 8-year-old little boy being harassed by a bully. His lunch is taken each day. He’s physically pushed around, humiliated for fun. He tries talking to the bully, to no avail. He tries avoiding the bully, also with failure. He tells his teacher, it too does little good.
Then one day an older student (much bigger than the bully) compassionately steps in, and informs the bully that his days of terrorizing this student are over. The bullied student is now at peace. The bully still exists, but the 8-year-old can relax, because someone greater than him is taking care of him.
We are offered the same help in life. God is greater than any problem that confronts us, including this epidemic virus. He created us and is willing and wants to take care of us.
Peace in the Midst of this Virus
In the midst of life’s pressures, Jesus tenderly says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
This is the God who created the universe, created galaxies of stars and planets, billions of life and plant species, an intricate ecosystem and human life. God does “great and awesome” wonders—miracles! There is nothing too hard Him. He has unlimited power. We cannot even imagine all that He can do! He invites us to come to Him for help.
Jesus constantly described God as our “Father” in Heaven who loves us.
A good father will protect, provide, teach, love, care for, sacrifice for his children. He will seek always to assure them of his love.
If you grew up with parents or a father that didn’t love you in this way, then the term “Father” might not be endearing to you. In fact, some people’s anxiety might have started due to their parents or a living situation that instilled deep insecurity and fear. You might have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
Experiences like this can skew our view of the world, of ourselves and others. However, a relationship with God brings the start of a new life. Jesus even referred to this as “being born again”. Life is different and new, once you begin a relationship with Him.
One of our greatest fears with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is going through it alone, or not having the emotional or physical strength to deal with it, on behalf of ourselves or our loved ones. That question rings true for anything that scares us. “Will I be able?”
Strength While Facing Challenges
God, who created us, knows everything about us. He knows our background, events that have happened, our accomplishments and dreams. He knows our pain, our future, our relationships. He knows absolutely everything. Jesus said He’s aware of the smallest, insignificant details of your life, “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not;” Luke 12:7
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and known everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away…You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it…” Psalm 139
He knows everything about us. The most secure relationship we can have in this world is a relationship with God, who loves us.
Guidance in the Darkness
God never intended that we would go through this life on our own. God wants to lead us into a different life with His guidance. We don’t need to stumble in the dark, or in uncertainty.
Jesus said, “I am The Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
We’re invited to, “Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 Any problem we encounter, including a threatening virus, we don’t need to shoulder alone. We can ask Him for whatever our need is and in His love and wisdom He can sort it out and act on our prayers exactly like a loving Father would. It doesn’t mean we are spared difficult experiences. A loving father doesn’t prevent struggles, failures, or disappointments.
However, the bottom line is that God can and will take care of us. God sees the big picture, the right time, and He assures us, “…God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God…” Romans 8:28
When we need direction in our life for important decisions, God will provide clarity. When we are discouraged or frustrated over a situation, He will gently speak to us, and correct our perspective, as we seek Him in the Bible. His guidance sets our feet on solid ground and gives our heart peace.
God’s love frees us from insecurities and gives us more compassion for people than we would naturally have.
This is what it’s like to be in a relationship with God, which He offers to everyone. The Bible describes God as the Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Mighty God.
Freedom from Doom
At the same time, being in a relationship with God does not mean we avoid life’s problems.
There will be times in life when we encounter an event that we can’t do anything about. If we know God well enough, we know that we can trust God with this, no matter what the outcome. Because of this this, though, there may be great sadness, but we never have to struggle with bitterness, anger or anxiety. We may struggle with fear over the possibility of a loved one dying, but we can give this fear to God, to show us how to view it properly.
“Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you…” Psalm 91:10
With God as our refuge, the One we trust, even if a loved one passes, God would not allow that to be “evil” in our life. God will not let it overcome us, destroy us, or harm us.
“No evil shall be allowed to befall you.” Psalm 91:10 God sets limits. If we will trust Him, we can go through situations differently… with peace.
No Problem is Too Big, Including Coronavirus
Jesus said, “In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Therefore we’re told, “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer…let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6
Is this just wishful thinking? No. Look at the facts of God’s ability and power.
The earth we are on right now is spinning at about 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 km per hour). Yet we feel perfectly calm, enjoying the beauty of the sunrise and sunset this twirling creates.
The earth is also rotating around the sun, traveling 67,000 mph. Even at this speed, it maintains the perfect distance from the sun, not too far away, not too close.
In the same way that God is aware of the billions of galaxies, God is aware of every large and small detail of our lives, and He loves us!
Someone Who Cares
He loves us, not because we deserve it, but because it is His nature to love and to take care of those who will trust Him.
God says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:28-31
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31
Jesus said, “My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27
He is greater than any problem we can encounter.
Freedom from anxiety about the Coronavirus, (COVID-19) or any serious issue, is knowing that God is capable! He cares and will act on your behalf.
To know God in this way you need to first begin a relationship with Him.
If you would like to begin a relationship with God and know his love for you, this explains how: Knowing God Personally.
Excerpts from article written by Marilyn Adamson
www.everyperson.com/wires/coronavirus.html