I have lived through some pretty scary seasons, but none quite like this one.
“Flatten the curve, slow the spread, shelter in place, and social distancing” have been added to everyday vocabulary. Record unemployment, a rising death toll, turbulent stocks and trillions of dollars added to the national debt. Fear lurks around every corner and is served in heaping helpings on media outlets. The coronavirus pandemic touches every aspect of life in America and around the world. So how do we live without fear in a world that is suddenly terrifying?
As a person of deep Christian faith, I have struggled with this question and found the answer in my relationship with God. We don’t have to buy in to the sales pitch of fear. There is a better way. Here are three things we can do when it’s hard not to be afraid.
Stop talking to yourself and start preaching.
The words of disagreeing experts, politicians and media outlets propagate fear. We process our fear with the feelings generated and the result is script of doom and gloom that plays in our hearts and minds on a never ending loop. Words of despair give rise to feelings of hopelessness and feelings supplant faith.
Life and death, survival and destruction are in the power of the tongue. (Proverbs 18:21) Relief from the loop is impossible unless we determine to exchange the words of fear for those of God. We have to stop talking to ourselves and start preaching to ourselves. Feelings submit to faith when we declare the truth of The Bible. Take a deep breath and soak up the hope of scripture.
“For I know the plans that I have for you”, declares the Lord. “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come to Me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12. (NASB)
I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all fears. Psalm 34:4 (NASB)
But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us! Romans 5:3-5, (TPT)
This hope is not a disappointing fantasy!
Speak life over yourself by reading and memorizing scripture. Post verses in the places you see most; your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, or phone wallpaper. Surround yourself with truth that builds your faith. Your feelings will have no choice but to submit to your faith rather than the other way around.
Don’t forget to remember.
Last week I lost my job. It was unexpected and rattling. My faith was rocked until I began to remember.
Ten years ago my husband lost his job, twice. Unemployment and underemployment were the norm for four years. The journey was hard, but God provided in ways large and small. His mercies were new every morning.
Remembering His faithfulness in that season, reminded me to remember His faithfulness in the next. And the next. And the next.
Throughout scripture, God called His people to remember. Exodus tells how 430 year of slavery ended in dramatic fashion with ten plagues and a highway through the Red Sea. A few books later, in Deuteronomy 6, God instructs His people to remember what He has done and teach their children. I love The Message translation of verse 12, “Make sure you don’t forget how you got there-God brought you out of slavery in Egypt.”
We can live without fear, even when it’s hard, if we don’t forget to remember the goodness of God.
Pump up the volume.
I grew up in the eighties, but this is not a reference to the mistake of big hair. We should never do that again.
Instead pump up the volume on the songs that encourage faith and remind us of the power of God. Saturate your spirit in lyrics like these:
There’s power in the mighty name of Jesus
Every war He wages He will win
I’m not backing down from any giant
‘Cause I know how this story ends
I’m gonna see a victory
See a Victory by Elevation Worship.
Jesus, Jesus, oh, how I need You
You stay the same, You are good in Your ways
Jesus, Jesus, oh, how I need You
You are enough, all my trust is in You, Lord
You are powerful, God above it all
I believe in You, I believe in You
You do miracles, the impossible
I believe in You, Jesus
How I Need You by Highlands Worship
I especially love to crank up the songs with lyrics so spot-on, I could have written them myself if I had the talent.
I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, Amen and it’s still raining.
And I’ll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
-Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns
After spending time with God in prayer and Bible reading, music keeps our attention on the One with the power to overcome all the fear the world hurls our way. Pump up the volume on the songs that make your soul soar.
Multiple times each day we are faced with the choice of fear or peace. If we don’t intentionally choose peace, we will succumb to the default of fear. The battle is real but the plan of attack is simple. Speak life, remember to remember, turn up the tunes and you will find peace even when it’s hard to not be afraid.
