For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
The following are my notes from a Facebook video posted on April 1, 2020.
A lot of people are anxious or worried about the coronavirus crisis. It’s difficult to be home alone and face your anxiety about this awful virus. You can fight those anxious feelings. There are ways to feel better. Try these 8 tips to help you pull ahead and find hope. If you need more help, send me a private message or e-mail me at debbie@debbiejansen.com.
We have all listened to President Trumps Coronavirus briefings. Even if you didn’t stick around for all of it, you probably looked at the highlights on your phone or the evening news.
When he said, “This is going to get much much worse” my heart sank. Before I could do a video, I spent most of the day counseling with several people who were severely worried and anxious about what may be coming.
As I prayed for them and asked God to help me understand their feelings….I began to get nervous myself. Rather than do a video, I spent time praying and doing what I knew was necessary for me to have a balanced mental attitude. Now that I’m on my A game….I’m going give you my list of things you should be doing to combat your fears or anxieties.
#1 Force your mind to be positive.
Write down favorite Bible verses, famous quotations or encouraging notes. Post this on the kitchen cabinet or refrigerator so you can see it often.
Why can’t you just try to remember them? We learn by reading, writing and visualizing a concept. When you pick up a pen to write (or even click those keys on the computer) your body is moving. Moving portions of your body will release tension. You will also feel yourself doing something to solve your problem and that helps release tension as well. So use action to help you remember good information.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
Check out these verses.
Fear Not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Exodus 14:13 Sounds good until you realize this was said when the children of Israel faced the choice of death by sea or with Pharaoh. The only option was death until God changed the options.
Psalms 23:4 Psalms 34:4 Psalms 43:5 John 14.27 Philippians 4:6
And my very favorite…..2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.
#2 Find miraculous stories. The brain needs to know that you can find a way or have the faith to survive the current crisis you are in. Stories are out there, but because of the negative attitudes of Hollywood and news outlets – we rarely hear them.
My favorite book is When God Breaks Through. But I think it’s out of print.
If you haven’t read “Breakthrough” by Joyce Smith with Ginger Kolbaba you can order it on Amazon. The movie is good but the book shows the hundreds of miracles that had to happen in order for John Smith to come back to life.
Chase the gloom and doom out of your brain by centering on true stories that show how God can and will change lives. I love Nick Vujicic. Look him up on youtube. He is amazing. No arms, no legs and yet a bundle of energy and accomplishments. He proves that no matter what your circumstances or disabilities you can have a wonderful fulfilling life!
#3 Use your body – get up and move!
When we are anxious we often want to curl up with a blanket, overeat and let the depression or sadness set in. If you are getting over a divorce or someone has really hurt you – there is a time for reflection and dealing with sorrow. But in our current situation we are dealing with the anxious feelings of where this crisis is going – that is a totally different anxiety. We are in the fight or flight mode and that demands different actions.
Think of this type of anxiety as if it were a rabid dog. If you were sitting on your porch and a dog came over and started biting on you – would you just sit there and say, “I can’t fight this dog. It’s too overwhelming. I just need to accept where I am.”
NO! No you wouldn’t. You would see him approaching and you would get up, run inside and close the door behind you.
So…when the news is just too depressing – turn it off. Get up and go outside on your porch. Take a deep breath of nice fresh air. Do some jumping jacks. Stare at the sky. Remind yourself that in this moment you are doing well. In this moment you are ok.
And most of all think of all the people that are depending on you. You have to survive for them. You have to encourage them. You have work to do. So….get busy and appreciate the things that you do have.
*** Remember to take care of you. That’s a physical action as well. Get plenty of rest, relaxation and good food. All of that will increase your immune system. Having a positive attitude will also increase the immune system. We are at our worst and open to all kinds of contagions when we are depleted, fearful or depressed.
#4 Don’t binge on TV news or on TV shows. Being inactive can make you more anxious. Change your environment. Play music and dance. Read a good fiction book. Avoid books, music or videos that are about death and pain. Take a walk. Move the furniture around. Build a positive state of mind.
When your body is active your mind will calm down too.
#5 Learn Something. Keep your mind busy with the thoughts that you are achieving or growing in some way.
Look for you tube videos on how to ball room dance and practice.
Pull that guitar out of the closet and learn how to play. Learn to cook (as long as you couple that with how to get the most out of exercise.)
#6 Make a plan. Again get a piece of paper and write out your plan for how to survive this crisis as well as how to be part of the solution. When you are doing what you can to help during this crisis, your brain will naturally feel empowered and you will have less time to feel anxious.
While it’s important to follow guidelines…..YOU ARE CAPABLE OF MORE THAN JUST SANITIZING YOUR HANDS AND STAYING INDOORS. Everyone can make a plan to lighten the load and to help others.
Make your own list of how to brighten the world during this crisis….but here’s a few suggestions to get you started.
On your way to get takeout, stop by the post office and buy some stamps. Every day send an encouraging card or letter to a family member or friend. Remember they will have to get the mail (physical movement) and hold the card (mental and physical). Receiving something in the mail is different from a text or even a phone call.
Start a game with your family. Everyday someone has to suggest a crazy thing to do. Like challenging everyone to do 50 jumping jacks. Text a picture of the most disgusting out of date thing in your fridge. Who can get their dog to bark the longest? Well, you get the idea. Connect with people and have fun doing it. Maybe you will lighten their fears as well.
Put your gloves on the next time you take a walk. Leave notes of encouragement in your neighbor’s mailboxes.
Cook a meal for an older neighbor. BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT CONTAMINATION. Pack it carefully and leave it at their door. Call them to let them know it’s there.
Mow a neighbor’s yard. Give the takeout guy an extra tip and thank him for being there.
Personally, I’ve told my children that I am available to do a story time with my grandchildren on FaceTime. That gives mom’s a break.
Be sure and check in with families that you know have aggression issues. They need help being kind to other family members. You might be able to calm a brewing situation.
Open your eyes to the people around you who are serving you during this crisis. Give back to them and help lighten the load where you can.
One friend said he is going to call the funeral home. He wants to send cards to any family that loses a member during this time. Now that’s getting involved!
#7 Show compassion. Don’t fuss and fight during this time. Find ways to connect with even the most difficult person. Find ways to help ”stop” pain and anxiety. This is not the time to make other people feel bad. This is not the time to fuss at them because they aren’t doing what you think they should. Maybe you don’t have all the information you need to understand their actions. Be KIND.
I talked with a person the other day that said she was glad she had to work. “I know I’m in danger of catching this thing, but if I sit home I’ll go crazy with anxiety. I’m on anti-depressants anyway and I know what would happen if I was sitting at home. At least this way I’m making my own decision to face the monster and I’m helping others in the process.” As she continued to check out my groceries tears filled my eyes. “I’ll pray for you and I’ll thank God everyday that you are here. When I come back I’ll look for you. God bless you darling.”
Be careful that you don’t hurt those who put your safety and needs ahead of their own fears.
#8 For me this one is #1 but is also floating around all the others. PRAY. Imagine how you would feel if you lost a loved one. PRAY for God to intervene and stop this horrible virus. PRAY for our President. PRAY for politicians to stop politicizing every action. PRAY that the news will get the facts right. PRAY for those who are sick. PRAY that medical scientists will find a cure. PRAY for the spiritual situation of all those who have this terrible virus as well as those who may not recover. Pray that they will be welcomed and comforted into the arms of God. PRAY THAT CHILDREN will continue to be protected. PRAY for all the government workers who will make sure we get unemployment checks, stimulus checks, social security checks, medicare and medicaid. PRAY for soldiers, doctors, nurses, policemen, EMT’s, delivery people, amazon and other order on line places and the thousands of people who continue to work in and around this virus in order to find cures and to help us.
I believe that we will conquer this terrible virus. I believe that we will survive. I believe that God will give us strength, wisdom and the knowledge to fight this thing.
I will NOT give in to fear…..FEAR IS NOT AN OPTION.
I BELIEVE – WILL YOU BELIEVE WITH ME?
DON’T SIT THERE…..Leave a comment – especially on facebook – as to what you are going to do to help others and to survive. Maybe others will want to join you.
Dear Jesus, be with everyone who is trying to cope with this devastating virus. Comfort and heal them. Please heal our land. We believe in you, we trust you and we love you. Amen.