Recently I witnessed the reaction of a co-worker completely overwhelmed and filled with fear over COVID-19. She said, “What can I do for the time that I am living in now? Is this the end of the world? There is so much uncertainty. There is so much I want to do! Do I have time to start doing things right and to make things right? So many changes are occurring and these things are happening so quickly, I feel I have lost control.”  She had a panic attack, hives came up all over her body, and she left work. Since that incident, she’s been taking time off from work.

With all the sudden changes and the stress level being high as my co-worker and others verbalized their feelings, I realized that I was silent as I internalized it all. I was not myself. I was not a good witness, showing that I know God is here even when there is a storm. I do have a connection with God, the creator of the universe. He is in control and can say, ”Peace, be still,“ and can ride out the storm with me.

We all have different ways of dealing with stress and with changes that occur gradually or suddenly.

We need to request a daily baptism of the Holy Spirit. We need to put on the whole armor of God, and not neglect any part of that armor. We need to spend more time with God and not be in a hurry. We need to take more time and wait upon God, meditate on His Word, and not aimlessly watch television or play games like scrabble or solitaire for hours.

The news on the radio and television can be depressing and bring our spirits down. We need to spend more time reading the Good News, the gospel, so we can believe the Good News. Then we can be filled with the love of Jesus, meet the needs of others around us, and share the Good News of the gospel, bringing hope to everyone around us.

I thank God for His forgiveness, His mercy, His patience, and His grace. I thank God most of all for His salvation.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8 KJV

May God bless you and your families today,

Patricia Antoine-Norton, Women’s Ministries Coordinator