“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything -1 John 3:20
Mental health can be a big issue during lockdown. A certain joke has gone viral online which says, “It’s okay to talk to your plants, but if the plants talk back, that’s not okay.”
It makes us laugh, but it also makes us reflect on our mental and emotional being. There are those of us who adjusted quickly, filling time with things we wanted to do in the past, but had never gotten round to doing. There are those who shifted their work presence into online business spaces. And then there are those who find themselves powerless. Unable to work. Unable to go to the grocery. Some are bored. Bored with nothing to do. Some are angry at the government.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are those fighting for their lives. The sick in the hospital. The sick at home. There are also those helping in the fight. The doctors. The nurses. The citizens creating masks to give. Donors of food.
Whatever category we fall under, there is no doubt that we are all part of a global, collective trauma. Even if we are not in the hospital, we ARE affected. We wonder about tomorrow. Wonder about our safety. Sometimes, we even wonder about God’s goodness.
Oh, how our minds need to be reminded of Truth and re-directed to God’s promises!
One of the verses I can hold on to when I get overwhelmed with my thoughts and emotions is this: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT)
Our God is the Giver of peace. The Prince of Peace. Perfect peace. Our thoughts should be focused on Him.
Granted, it can be hard to focus when everything is so unsure; so unstable; when our emotions –our hearts— are bigger than we can manage. When that happens, I have learned to worship; to magnify the Lord.
Just as a magnifying glass enlarges everything under it; so does worship enlarge my view of Jesus. When I worship, He becomes bigger than all my fears, my worries, my questions. I again remember: He is on the throne. Nothing escapes His notice. He still knows the number of hair strands I have. He still cares for the sparrow. He still cares for me.
In this season of lockdown, let’s take our eyes off our worries, silencing fear by looking to Jesus, our Prince of Peace and the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Let’s worship Him and crown Him King of our thoughts and hearts.
Janina Marie Rivera is the Editor-in-Chief of One Voice Magazine, a teacher of world literature, and a student of the Bible. She enjoys reflecting on life’s curve balls and plateaus. She resides in the Philippines, the country known for people who smile a lot.
