2020 kinda sucks – COVID-19 complete with quarantines, hoarding and masks; killer hornets; dust storms; protests; violence; rumors of a Swine Flu coming; unemployment; and an election which is sure to be interesting to say the least. Really America, is this the best we could do? And as I’m writing this, it is July 4th which will end with a full moon and lunar eclipse. What could go wrong?
There have been some funny 2020 memes – here’s a few of my favs.
I don’t know about you but I’m a lot more anxious than usual and fearful of what might be next. I think we have to acknowledge that it’s normal for us to feel this way during this abnormal time. We need to have some compassion for ourselves. Here are a few strategies we can use to keep ourselves mentally healthy.
- Take care of your health by eating right, exercising, sleeping, resting, praying, etc.
- Manage your news and media intake – stay informed but don’t be obsessive.
- Stay connected with others, even when you can’t physically be with them.
- Focus on gratitude.
- Do kind and helpful acts for others which can help you regain a sense of control over your life.
Remember God can use dark and stressful times for good. He can use them to teach us to trust him, and help us to connect to others.
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We really don’t have any control over the events of 2020. So, what do we do with our anxiety and fear? We can choose to submit to it or, we can conquer it by submitting to the One who IS in control and can act on the situation. Remember Jesus’ advice:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?… Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34
So, lets take it day by day and trust God to carry us through. With Him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). He parted the Red Sea, brought Jesus to save us, and performs miracles every day! He will get us through this too!
