Maintaining Emotional Health During the Days of COVID-19

While some may feel relatively little impact from the COVID epidemic, there's a lot of uncertainty for many, with job layoffs, health fears, and the loss of friends or family. Below are a few thoughts on maintaining a healthy emotional perspective during the days of COVID-19.

Remember we are RESPONSE-ABLE!

People throughout the globe and the ages have faced traumatic difficulties of many kinds. The Biblical character Joseph faced a seven-year famine. From 1939-1945, 70 million people died in World War II. Today, there are about 60,000 individuals in LA County without a home. Mankind has faced many challenges. From the vantage point of history, while there was and is suffering, we find a way to overcome!

• Therefore, choose to be hopeful, loving, prayerful, and faithful. 2 Corinthians 10:5 states "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (NIV)." Collectively, we're going to get through this. Find the rays of light in times of darkness. Take negativity and fear and hold them captive! Mentally prepare to protect your heart and that of others.
• Phil. 4:6-8 says "6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
• Find the tactic or mechanism that helps you cope. Find the good. Focus on the positive. Exercise – Walk – Send Funny Memes! – Read – Watch Movies – Write – Call Friends – Park outside your friend's house (and Maintain Social Distancing)! We are all uniquely and wonderfully made. The trick is to choose your (hopefully healthy) response – the one that helps you keep a positive outlook during this difficult time. Call a friend to get or give help. Find your joy. Love each other!

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