Psycho-spiritual Health in the Time of COVID-19
By Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” The truth of this text is that life comes in seasons. There are times when we will experience one thing and other times when we find ourselves in new and different situations. This is a fact of life.
It is ordained to be that way. Once we realize this, we can rest assured that despite what it feels like, things are going along in some divine order. The upside of knowing this is that when things are bad, dark, or painful, they will not always be that way.
Psalm 30:5 echoes this sentiment with an encouraging promise about life’s ups and downs, “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
So, what time is it? It is time to declare that God reigns over every situation. For there is a time for everything in life.
The most important thing for Christians to embrace is the answers to this question: What time is it? First, it is important to talk correctly to ourselves. In this time of COVID-19, we are experiencing situations that can produce overwhelming fear and loneliness. These are enemies to our psycho-spiritual health.
One fear is that we are in uncharted territory and no one is in control. If we just sit in stillness and quietness for a moment, our faith will tell us that this is not true. More importantly, believing this untruth can lead us to panic. Jeremiah 32:27 quotes God as saying, “See, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me?”
Take a moment to remind yourself that this is only one of the many seasons of life; and like every season, it will change. Take a moment to review other scriptures that assure you that God is always in control like Is. 41:10; I Cor. 10:13; Josh. 1:9; Mt. 6:34; Jer. 29:11; Ps. 46:1; Prov. 22:28; Phil. 4:6-7; and Lk. 12:22-26.
What time is it? It is time to use the weapon of a song to lift our spirit and keep us going in the right spiritual and psychological direction. Let God’s gift of music surround you and uplift your spirit. Sing the songs that will remind you of the truth of God’s omnipotence. Go online and send these songs to other Christians that you know.
What time is it? It is time to be family or the body of Christ who is responsible to feed Jesus’ sheep. Dark voices in the background whisper that no one cares about us, we are alone, and will suffer because we will find ourselves without any way to meet our basic needs. This incorrect thinking leads to depression, anxiety, and panic.
Again, people of faith are never alone. Not only did God promise to never leave us alone, but we were also created to need each other. When we yield our lives to the Lord, the church becomes our family.
Church members, this is a time to utilize the class leader system. Begin creating phone-trees so that each member receives a call every week or every other week regardless of whether they are ill, elderly, or live alone. It is time to reach out with emails, e-cards, paper cards, calls, and other ways of showing love and care to make up for the lack of physical touch. It is recommended that a resource list be assembled and distributed to members with community resources to assist those who might need food, clothing, or medicine.
What time is it? It is time to be still, draw closer to God, and to do some soul-searching and care-taking of our own. Learn to love your own company and look forward to time alone with God. Read up on the spiritual disciplines such as fasting, meditation, and praying the Psalms.
Get some rest. Work on a project that you have been wanting to do. Pamper yourself with bubble baths and scented candles to eliminate stress and anxiety. Limit yourself to only one-half an hour of news each day and skip over the many articles about the COVID-19. Bishops, connectional church leaders, and pastors are working diligently to keep you informed with podcasts and emails.
