We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT
Right now, we are finding ourselves in the middle of a season that is new for all of us. The Novel Coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic have displaced our ordinary lives. You may be feeling that you are unprepared for this season and find yourself struggling to know what to do or how to stay healthy. Thankfully God is never caught off guard.
We hope that this field guide can serve as a helpful tool for you. We have looked at five key areas of life where we are finding ourselves impacted right now: Emotional, Physical, Spiritual, Social, and Mental.
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I want to share on the importance of maintaining good mental health. When crisis strikes, our mental health can suffer if we are not intentional in taking care of it. So how can we take care of our mental health during such a stressful time? Here are some tips to help you:
Action Steps:
- Remember you are not alone.
I want to begin here because of the feelings of anxiety, fear, and the immense pressure you feel right now are normal. Everyone is feeling the effects of this virus. - Limit your exposure to the news.
We are supposed to make well-informed decisions. This requires us to keep up with the current events. However, too much news, social media, and mindless scrolling will lead to clutter in our minds and reduce our mental clarity. - Create a daily routine and stick to it.
Creating a daily routine and sticking to it will help reduce your anxiety. Finding an activity that is life-giving to you will help you adapt to the new normal. - Establish support.
If you need help, don't hesitate to reach out for help. We are all in this together. You don't have to fight this battle alone. The Lord is with you and will never leave you. - Set your heart and mind on things above.
Any good counselor will ask the question, "Who's voice are you listening to?" That's an excellent question to ask ourselves during this virus. Let's listen to what God has to say. Consider meditating on this scripture: "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." - (Isaiah 41:10 NLT) - Focus on what you can control.
Things like washing your hands, a proper diet, exercise, and good sleep all play a role in good mental health.
Here is a prayer you can pray to the Lord as you seek to maintain good mental health:
Lord, during this time of uncertainty, help me to set my heart and mind on things above.
Strengthen my mind, fill me with your peace, and help me to cast my cares upon you because you care for me.
As you are thinking through these steps, here is a helpful table you can print out (or make yourself), to plan out what action steps you plan to take each day of the week:
Please know that you can always reach out to us for support. Our Care Team and Pastors would love to connect with you and support you during this time. They can be reached at 844.364.4673
