Dealing With Fear & Anxiety
This article was originally written in March 2020, as we were beginning to come to terms with the COVID-19 pandemic and how it would impact our lives. If you remember back to those times, there was a lot of fear and uncertainty floating around, and anxiety levels were through the roof. Even though COVID-19 has become something we all have to deal with as part of life, the lessons learned about dealing with fear and anxiety still hold true whatever we face.
In these unprecedented times it seems the world is changing every hour, and here in Australia we are dealing with almost a month’s worth of Government announcements every day. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is now doubling every three to four days, which is exactly what medical experts said would happen. Up to a million people might lose their jobs, and we are facing new restrictions daily. I lost my job in the global financial crisis of 2007, but this is nothing like I have ever experienced before.
“Over this past week or so, my anxiety almost crippled me. ”
My week started with a pleasant drive through the countryside, returning to Melbourne after a relaxing weekend away. On our way home my wife and I thought we would pop into a country supermarket to pick up some groceries. Then it hit us—there was nothing left on the shelves! No meat, no chicken, no fruit and vegetables. I admit we both panicked a bit. Seeing the empty shelves was quite confronting. Some anxious thoughts began to creep in.
One hour later, my wife heard that her boss had come into the office after arriving back from Germany on the weekend. He thought it was clever timing that he had just missed the deadline for forced isolation by six hours. My wife’s anxiety levels rose another level.
On top of this, I began messaging my office to start putting into place protocols for social distancing and to call for an urgent team meeting. But how would I hide my own anxieties while I led a team meeting?
We needed to organise a contingency plan to prepare everyone to work from home. Something that usually takes weeks to work through had to be done in 48 hours.
Then, I realised each one of my staff was dealing with their own issues and challenges. For example, one of my staff was trying to organise a flight to Malaysia for his wife to visit her dying father. How do you cope with that in this environment? Is it even safe to be flying? Would she be able to return? Another of my younger staff just heard that his wedding reception was cancelled. It was due to be held in May. How does he deal with that? There were likely many other similar stories I wasn’t even aware of.
How on earth could I support each staff member through this when I was really struggling myself? My own daughter had just been informed that she would be stood down for at least three months. It was overwhelming.
All of this happened in just one week. I suspect that my week may have been like yours, or at least similar. We are all going to be thrown some major curveballs due to this coronavirus.
I was almost at my wits end, but thankfully I found relief by spending time with God in His Word. Taking the time to read the Bible helped me immensely. This is the answer to help us get through these tough times. The only answer. With so many many changes and upheavals, it’s the house that’s built on the rock that stands when the waves come crashing in.
The passage that helped me was Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In particular, the verse “Do not be anxious” (v.6). The answer to ‘anxiety and worry’, in every situation, is ‘prayer and petition’. The apostle Paul also tells us to pray with thanksgiving. The following verse assuring the believer of God’s peace is most helpful as well—it’s almost like the reward for praying (v.7).
It’s comforting to know that God knows what we are going through. These verses lifted the weight of worry off my shoulders. In my anxiety and worry I had forgotten to go to God. May my sharing encourage and point you to God’s Word at this time.
If you are feeling anxious, take action and pray.
Our Daily Bread is our parent ministry. You might like to download Our Daily Bread’s free resource on hope for further help:
