Panic, mental distress, anxiety, insomnia, migraine are all traceable to the grip of fear on us.
When we offer fear a chance—however minute it is, it eventually invades the whole place.
To be human means to feel emotions and to be affected by our thoughts. As a result, we are prone to losing our divine nature. And in those times, fear can take hold of us and make us feel trapped and powerless.
If the COVID-19 pandemic and uproar of hunger is making us scared, then we know it’s time we dealt with it.
Four (4) ways to combat your COVID-19 fear as a Christian:
- Emphasizing on our coping abilities
- Shifting Focus to Faith
- Making bold declarations
- Having a routine that counters fear.
Here’s what I mean:
- Emphasising on our Coping Abilities: We should know that within us is the power we need to overcome our challenges.
Agitation arises when people overestimate a threat and underestimate their coping abilities. “Watching coverage that repeatedly emphasizes both the rapid spread of Corona Virus and lack of effective treatment” is a fuel for the anxiety fire, Pike said.
The body system has two major responses, which are flight or fight. Once we take our stand, we leave our body no option but to release hormones in that regard.
The response to fear oftentimes is flight, and it comes with more panic and tension when we face the fear trigger.
However, if we set off the fight response, we would see that the illusion of fear would automatically diminish.
2. Shifting Focus to Faith: What we choose to focus on has a way of aligning us in a particular direction. When we shift our focus to stronger forces, such as our faith in God, we begin to subdue our fears.
Also, we start feeling secure and in control. In this case, our belief and confession matters all the time. It’s our lens with which we view the world, and more importantly, the channel in which the world responds to us.
Faith that is backed up by action produce great result all the time. Also, realizing our place in Christ and engaging our faith through active prayer sessions, study of God’s word and encouraging others to do same would equip us to trample the fears around us.
3. Making Bold Declarations: From our study of God’s word, we would be empowered to affirm bold declarations of faith. We should consciously begin to declare words like:
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD” (Psalms 118:17 NKJV).
“…My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.” (Psalms 27: 1-3 NKJV).
“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears” (Psalms 34:4 NKJV).
With these daily declarations of faith by speaking with our mouth, God’s grace and power would be released to us. We would also find strength and not feel prone to any iota of fear.
4. Having a Routine that Counters Fear: We should go about our normal activities as though nothing is happening. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take precautionary measures like staying off lockdown zones or observing personal hygiene. But we shouldn’t wander about, bearing the badge of fear that we may contact the disease.
Most businesses are booming even in this period. The owners of apps like Tik Tok, Zoom, who promote online activities, meetings and seminars are smiling to the banks.
This period can also be a blessing to us if we continue to engage in productive activities and even learn new skills to equip us better. There are ample opportunities around even in this pandemic. Bible characters like Daniel, David, Joseph, Esther etc emerged as victors in not so palatable times.
Every thing we look for is at the other side of fear. Again, let us not forget that we can expunge the COVID-19 fear at last by carrying out all we’ve highlighted above and more.
This is not a time to worry or engage in fear triggering activities like watching so much of the COVID-19 news.
A daily update of the situation is good but unnecessary focus on the pandemic should be avoided.
When we emphasize more on our coping abilities, shifting our focus to faith, making bold declarations daily and sticking to a routine that counters fear; we avail ourselves the necessary tools to combat the COVID-19 fear and even empower others to do the same.
We certainly believe we’d all be victorious when the wind of COVID-19 is past.
