Hope in the face of crisis, practical ways to minimize fear and God’s words to the World

It’s been a little over a week since I spoke at a women’s conference in SC and so much has changed. With friends struggling over work and money, parents adapting to children at home and online classrooms, as well as others battling life-threatening illnesses, things are changing and changing fast. But things are always changing. Whether you are facing a health, financial or family crisis, I want to offer you a little bit of hope today. Because there is one thing that never changes, God!

I just got back from a weekend camping trip and I was feeling a little detached from the escalation of current world events. I knew something had changed when I received the email that our kids would not be returning to school on Monday.  In preparation, I ran to the store only to find empty shelves; no bread, no meat, no milk. I’m beginning to think we are in some kind of food crisis. Fear seems to be spreading faster than anything else these days. I am not down playing our current situation. I myself have chosen to limit outside exposure, practice social distancing and increase my intake of immunity boosters. We need to be wise. But as Christians, if we are the ones filled with the most fear, what are we showing the world? And what are we so afraid of?

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5-7)

Is your gentleness evident? Are you anxious and filled with fear? I have many friends, both old and young, who are scared to death right now. Separated from family and friends, fear begins to take over. The worst case scenario becomes reality. A friend once told me, fear is actually F-alse E-vidence A-ppearing R-eal.

If you’ve been reading my blogs, you know I have been stricken by fear. Fear doesn’t just go away because you want it to. My struggle with fear has taught me a thing or two. One, you have to be intentional in your efforts. And two, fear can be distracted.

Ideas to minimize your fear;

1. Don’t feed it. If watching the news brings you stress, limit your exposure. You need to be informed but sometimes less is more.
2. Watch your words. For every fear-based statement, like “this is insane”, “Jesus is coming” or “has the World gone mad?” say at least 5 things that you are thankful for.
3. Do something. Take a walk, play fetch with your dog or toss a Frisbee with the kids. Who says you can’t go outside?
4. Make it a Stay-cation. Do the things you never have time to do. Clean out your closet, pantry, refrigerator or freezer.
5. Listen to dance music. Then dance around your house. Being silly will instantly lighten your mood.
6. Play cards, Monopoly or charades if there are multiple people in your home.
7. Smile. Did you know there are health benefits to smiling.
8. Check on someone else. Make a call, send an email, write a letter and mail it. We can touch people without physically touching them.
9. Watch a comedy or read some of the funniest jokes ever. Laughter is medicine for the soul.
10. And some of my favorites; read the scriptures, listen to praise music and pray.

As I prepared to write this message today, I wondered what I could possibly say to help anyone in their time of crisis. But then I thought, “What would God say?” This is what came;

God’s words to the World (slightly paraphrased by me)

My beloved; ‘Do not fear anything, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you. (Isaiah 41:10)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet I feed them all. Are you not of more value than they? … Indeed I know what you need. (Matthew 5:25-33)

And I will supply all your needs according to my glorious riches in heaven. (Philippians 4:19)

My child, listen to what I say…,
    ² Tune your ears to wisdom…,
        and ask for understanding.
^{6 …}For I, the Lord, grant wisdom!
    From my mouth comes knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2)

So don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell Me what you need, and thank Me for all I have done for you. Then you will experience my peace, which exceeds anything you can understand. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Trust in Me and I will keep you in that perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3)

For I know the plans I have for you, …, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

God loves us so much. I pray these words are a soothing balm to your soul. Trust God even in the face of fear. Ask God for what you need and believe that God will provide it to you. Because God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. So don’t give in to your fear. Distract it. Take this time to slow down and enjoy the beauty of this new day because this is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. In Jesus’ name, Amen. -M