Before the coronavirus disease (or COVID-19), anxiety and depression were a real thing. They still are. Since this pandemic, some issues that we may have been dealing with previously are being brought to the surface, such as lack of finances due to losing our jobs, familial or marital problems, not to mention being quarantined to a space alone– forcing us to sit with our thoughts. As a person who has experienced anxiety, for me, thinking too far ahead can illuminate the situation, causing an inner panic. As the old saying goes, “an idle mind can be the devil’s playground”. It is imperative that we are present in the moment.

Despite what some may think, none of us wants to be anxious or depressed. Feeling anxious, having negative thoughts, feeling defeated, overwhelmed or confused is not a choice. It is a terrible feeling. Furthermore, it is also not a reflection of our faith. The truth is, no matter how strong your faith is, life happens. In my experience, here are a few things that have helped:

• Breathing

I know this sounds trivial, but it is real. Often times, when we are experiencing anxiety, we are not breathing properly. When you begin to feel anxious, take a moment to inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Do this for as long as you need to until you are calm.

• Journaling

Grab a sheet of paper or a journal and write out your thoughts and feelings. This helps with processing and figuring out the root. Once it is out of your head and onto paper, it can also provide you with some mental relief. Journal without distractions — not tv, no social media, no noise.

• Affirmations

Speak life over yourself! Instead of focusing on lack, focus on the positive. This can also be written in your journal. While we may not be able to control the thoughts that enter our minds, we can shift the direction of our thoughts through words of affirmation.

• Praying

And with that, here is our prayer:

Dear Father,

Thank You for a new day. We know that You are the author and finisher of our faith. We believe that, even in the midst of present circumstances, You have plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. We know that anxiety and depression strips us of joy. Your Word says, “anxiety in a [wo]man’s heart weighs [us] down…” (Proverbs 12:25). Lord, we trust You, and we are casting all of our cares on You. We release the weight of anxiety. We release the weight of depression. We will “stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). May we use this time to draw closer to You. We know that our condition is not our conclusion, so we ask that You help our unbelief. We believe that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Help us to release things we cannot control. You are our strength. Lord, You are our peace — mental peace and emotional peace. You are “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Therefore, we will “hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21) and “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for [You] who promised [are] faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Your Word says it. We believe it. And that settles it.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Choose to have an amazing day beautiful people!