Once depression, anxiety, fear, and panic set in, it’s hard to reverse them and return to a calm, peaceful outlook. These strong emotions can be very disturbing, disturbing and destructive to one’s peace, and are self-perpetuating. Fear, especially, can even affect your mental health, physical health, and spiritual health in myriad ways if left unchecked. But there is good news in all this. Many people find that positive thinking, prayer, and gratitude to God are the remedies for fear, despair, and panic.

As a retired RN, I am well aware that prolonged periods of intense and prolonged stress can, and often do, damage physical and mental health. Pervasive and ongoing stress, similar to pandemic stress, has the potential to affect mental health and virtually every organ, every system in the body, in a negative way. It can cause, lead to, or exacerbate a host of serious medical problems, including: cardiac symptoms such as angina, chest pain, or heart attacks; autoimmune exacerbations of lupus, psoriatic arthritis, and multiple sclerosis (MS); GI symptoms, ulcers, debilitating migraines… the list goes on and on…

Particularly during this pandemic, we must do all we can to relieve unnecessary stress and support and maintain positive wellness of mind, body, and spirit. Fear and anxiety are contagious. Despite this pandemic we live in, we must do everything in our power to overcome our negativity, fears and circumstances. We must enlist all our resources to deal with it. One of those life-giving resources is prayer.

We must be diligent and work hard to maintain some sense of ‘normalcy’, even in the midst of current uncertainty, turmoil and social isolation. At the very least, finding and implementing new coping strategies may very well serve to boost the immune system and bring relief to those who are overwhelmed. These coping strategies, especially prayer, can help end our worrying about things we can’t control, as we gain a fresh perspective and avoid the damaging effects of ongoing stress.

For people of faith, it is comforting to acknowledge that God knows exactly what we are going through during this pandemic, this unprecedented, uncertain and, for some people, devastating time. If we can turn to God through it all, aware that He loves us deeply and immeasurably, perhaps we can regain our serenity and peace. He is not a distant God. Rather, He is a saving, loving, compassionate, ever-present God, right here with us.

Where does your help come from?

So where does your help come from? Some say it is their faith that gives them hope…and I agree. Within the mind-body-spirit connection, it is important to address all three areas of wellness. People of faith need to pray daily during this pandemic, for protection, guidance, healing, and peace for ourselves and those we love. God will help you cope as you turn to Him and put your trust in Him more and more. For when things seem to be more out of control and we feel tired, overwhelmed, overwhelmed and lost. God is there, and He is in control. We need to invite Him into our lives, praying fervently and with great anticipation, as we place our trust in Him. Then we can move forward without fear, knowing with confidence that He is working all things for us, in His special time and way, to the common good.

“All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Novels 8:28

When we are fearful, desperate, or panicked, it becomes difficult, even impossible, to reach out to, encourage, or comfort those around us, much less ourselves. Perhaps today is the day to choose to put aside all negativity, invite God into your life and ask for his help. Asking God for help, even for the first time, can change your life and could be the most life-giving decision you’ve ever made. Although each of our experiences and beliefs are unique, we are all weathering this turbulent time, this storm if you will, together. For holistic healing, we must fight fear daily and pray for peace for ourselves and our loved ones, as we strive to endure and overcome the pandemic and all the adversities we face.

Although it takes a lot of strength and courage to fight fear, we must remember that this is a once-in-a-lifetime and time-limited experience. With a vaccine on the horizon, this pandemic will eventually subside. The people of this country, indeed this world, will bear it and will eventually emerge stronger, more caring and empathetic. There is also likely to be a great influx of people growing in faith and seeking God more fervently than ever.

When we pray and choose to let go of all anxiety, despair, fear and panic, and it is a choice, we can revel in the peace and rest in the calm that only God can provide. In doing so, we are allowed to watch and witness as these overwhelming negative emotions go by the wayside and are replaced by a new, abiding, and contagious hope in God. Trusting in God’s holy love, care, and bountiful supply, we can move forward unimpeded, refreshed. Because the holy bible tells us:

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for everything he has done. Then you will experience the peace of God, which surpasses everything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds. while you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

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