Pandemic of Anxiety
These days have been hard for everyone. No matter the social class, race, color, age, gender, or any other difference that we humans have, we are all under the influence of the circumstances around us, mostly related to the Covid 19 pandemic.
One of the most discouraging factors regarding the pandemic is the authorities' inability to handle the situation and predict what will happen in the future. Not that they are wrong, and I am right. The problem is that nobody was prepared for a crisis like that, therefore no sure approach to deal with it, and nobody is entirely confident of what will happen tomorrow.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I remember that masks' use was seen as not protective as the virus could pass through the mask. Today, everyone is using masks. One day, I was walking on a trail in Colorado and saw people walking with masks on in the middle of the jungle. People drive with masks, keep their masks on inside of their homes, and even sleep with them.
Then, we have the uncertainty related to what to do. Vaccines might help, or might not! Acquired immunity after the first infection with Covid 19, or not! Effective medication to treat the virus, or not! Numbers of infections and deaths going down, or not! This Covid 19 has created something that was never experienced by humanity in the past.
How about the financial crisis? Do we have it, or are we going to have it? No one can predict it with assurance! Yet, many people have lost their jobs, companies are closing down or downsizing, and the fear of the unknown is spreading quickly. On top of this, the social unrest due to racial tensions, the wildfires in the west, the effects of global warming, the hurricanes, refugees' situation from developing countries, terrorists and mass killings, and violence everywhere. The world is becoming an anxiety-producing machine.
How to deal with that? The mental health professionals might have the solution: a treatment with anxiolytic medications, therapies, relaxation techniques, exercise, lifestyle modification, and more. It all depends on how severe your anxiety is, and if you have a major anxiety disorder. Definitely, in this situation, you need professional help.
However, in my opinion, the main factor for relief and prevent today's anxiety is God. Jesus Christ summarized it well, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
I want to paraphrase this part of the verse, "In this world, you will have Covid 19; or, in this world, you will have racial tensions; or, in this world, you will have global warming, fires, and hurricanes." And Jesus said, "I told you so!" But He also said, "In me, you may have peace!" No matter the situation you face in this world, if you ask for God's peace, you will receive it.
However, Jesus was not saying that He would solve every single problem that people have in this world and respond to every single prayer precisely as it was asked. He said that even if we get the Covid 19, He would give us peace. And peace now, and peace tomorrow and eternal peace!
I don't know what your situation is and what is going on with you and your family. But one thing is sure, whatever is happening to you, God is aware, and if you ask Him, he will listen! No matter what fears you have, God can give you the power to relax, overcome, and find peace.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
These days have been hard for everyone. No matter the social class, race, color, age, gender, or any other difference that we humans have, we are all under the influence of the circumstances around us, mostly related to the Covid 19 pandemic.
One of the most discouraging factors regarding the pandemic is the authorities' inability to handle the situation and predict what will happen in the future. Not that they are wrong, and I am right. The problem is that nobody was prepared for a crisis like that, therefore no sure approach to deal with it, and nobody is entirely confident of what will happen tomorrow.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I remember that masks' use was seen as not protective as the virus could pass through the mask. Today, everyone is using masks. One day, I was walking on a trail in Colorado and saw people walking with masks on in the middle of the jungle. People drive with masks, keep their masks on inside of their homes, and even sleep with them.
Then, we have the uncertainty related to what to do. Vaccines might help, or might not! Acquired immunity after the first infection with Covid 19, or not! Effective medication to treat the virus, or not! Numbers of infections and deaths going down, or not! This Covid 19 has created something that was never experienced by humanity in the past.
How about the financial crisis? Do we have it, or are we going to have it? No one can predict it with assurance! Yet, many people have lost their jobs, companies are closing down or downsizing, and the fear of the unknown is spreading quickly. On top of this, the social unrest due to racial tensions, the wildfires in the west, the effects of global warming, the hurricanes, refugees' situation from developing countries, terrorists and mass killings, and violence everywhere. The world is becoming an anxiety-producing machine.
How to deal with that? The mental health professionals might have the solution: a treatment with anxiolytic medications, therapies, relaxation techniques, exercise, lifestyle modification, and more. It all depends on how severe your anxiety is, and if you have a major anxiety disorder. Definitely, in this situation, you need professional help.
However, in my opinion, the main factor for relief and prevent today's anxiety is God. Jesus Christ summarized it well, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
I want to paraphrase this part of the verse, "In this world, you will have Covid 19; or, in this world, you will have racial tensions; or, in this world, you will have global warming, fires, and hurricanes." And Jesus said, "I told you so!" But He also said, "In me, you may have peace!" No matter the situation you face in this world, if you ask for God's peace, you will receive it.
However, Jesus was not saying that He would solve every single problem that people have in this world and respond to every single prayer precisely as it was asked. He said that even if we get the Covid 19, He would give us peace. And peace now, and peace tomorrow and eternal peace!
I don't know what your situation is and what is going on with you and your family. But one thing is sure, whatever is happening to you, God is aware, and if you ask Him, he will listen! No matter what fears you have, God can give you the power to relax, overcome, and find peace.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27