We are living in very strange times. There were the fires in Australia that started since July 2019 and lasted for about 8 months. They are currently over (thank God) due to the rainy season. But the rain has gotten very heavy to the point of causing flooding. Then, there are swarms of locusts in East Africa, the Middle East, and Asia – that’s a wide spread. This is the worst infestation Kenya has experienced in the past 70 years. See some pictures here. The swarms are affecting livelihood and food supply. And then there is the Coronavirus that has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
I don’t know about you, but all of this is disturbing. There are present and long-term effects including food shortage, kids missing a season of being in school, having to work from home, loss of jobs, isolating to stay away from people, anxiety and other mental concerns, and the loss of lives.
It is unclear how the COVID-19 will progress and when we will move back to our regular way of life. What is certain is that things will be different for a while. During this period, we may spend more time by ourselves or with our families at home while interacting less in social gatherings. To some, this sounds great and to others, this could be even more stressful. Honestly, for most of us the longer we are with the same people, we start to get tired of them or annoyed by their every move. And as humans, we do a lot better with social interaction hence isolating isn’t the best for our mental health.
So how can you calm yourself down instead of getting anxious?
Hope in God
Although things may seem chaotic, God is in control yesterday, today and tomorrow.
God is our protection and our strength.
He always helps in times of trouble.
2 So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes,
or the mountains fall into the sea,
3 even if the oceans roar and foam,
or the mountains shake at the raging sea.
4 There is a river that brings joy to the city of God,
the holy place where God Most High lives.
5 God is in that city, and so it will not be shaken.
God will help her at dawn.
6 Nations tremble and kingdoms shake.
God shouts and the earth crumbles.
7 The Lord All-Powerful is with us;
the God of Jacob is our defender.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the amazing things he has done on the earth.
9 He stops wars everywhere on the earth.
He breaks all bows and spears
and burns up the chariots with fire.
10 God says, “Be still and know that I am God.
I will be praised in all the nations;
I will be praised throughout the earth.”
11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us;
the God of Jacob is our defender.
(Psalm 46 NCV)
What do you do with yourself if you are home alone or how do you handle being with difficult family?
- Read my post here on how to deal with relational challenges that arise with family
- Think of this time as providing an opportunity for you to work on some of your private projects that you have been thinking of. This could include a hobby that you have been wanting to re-engage with and that wouldn’t require you to do in groups.
- Better yet, this is a good time for you to reflect on your new year’s goals and assess how you are doing. Maybe there are some adjustments you need to make.
- Engage with family and friends through your technology. We have phones, emails, social media, etc. We can still call our friends and family. This is a great time to take advantage of such connections.
- If nothing else, pray for our world (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Not sure what to pray for? Here are a few prayer points:
Prayer Points
- Pray for wisdom for our leaders so that they will know the right course of action to effectively help us through this time
- Pray for the families and friends of all those who have lost loved ones through the recent events
- Pray that God will provide sustenance for all those being affected by these events
- Pray for us to know how to take care of each other during this time
- Pray for God to help us take care of His creation, the earth
- Finally pray for yourself, that God’s peace that transcends all understanding will fill your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6)
Keep praying! And do your best to be a part of the solution in your little corner of the world.
