Faced with the coronavirus pandemic, it’s natural to feel fear. Much of the fear is the fear of the unknown. Because the virus is so new we are still trying to figure out as much as we can about it. In addition to the fear of the unknown we feel the fear of illness, the fear of social and economic breakdown, fear of death of ourselves and our loved ones.
Here are some practical spiritual tactics to remember in the face of fear:
First: Read the psalms. The psalms are the outpouring of the emotions to God. All the emotions are there from fear and frustration, rage and the desire for revenge, joy and praise, grief and consolation. Here are some psalms that help relieve anxiety: I’ve included excerpts. Use the links to go to the full psalm.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet[b] I will be confident.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet[b] I will be confident.
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
Psalm 91 – This psalm actually mentions God’s protection from “the deadly pestilence”
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
Second – Remember God does not promise to deliver us from all troubles, but he does promise to walk with us through them. Don’t forget Psalm 23: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death you are with me.”
Third – Ration the news and eliminate gossip. When there is much that is unknown it is natural to feed the fear with gossip, scare mongering and panic. Don’t deny the reality of the pandemic and take all prudent precautions to avoid the illness and help to contain the spread of the disease, but if you find that you are going back over and over again to read the news and listen to rumors just stop it. Check reliable news sources once a day, then get on with life.
Fourth – Do what you can, pray and don’t worry. Live life and enjoy life, taking all the necessary precautions, and take the advice of the experts.
Fifth – Care for others. Check up on your elderly family and friends, find out what your church and community are doing to help and pitch in if you can. This will not only do some good, it will help you to stop worrying!
Sixth- Pray and make sacrifices for those who are suffering, those who are worried, for the health care workers and that God would spare us the worst of this pandemic. As you do, put yourself in God’s hands with the prayer from the cross and the prayer said each night at Compline: “Into your hands O Lord I commend my Spirit.”
Seventh – Having put your trust in the Lord, remember these words of St Paul to the Romans:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
…and if God’s perfect love has been poured into our hearts remember also that “Perfect love casts out fear.” (I Jn 4:18)
Thank you Dear Fr. Dwight. I find this very helpful. We must persevere in times of trial and also pray hope and don’t worry. ..wisdom from Padre Pio. This has warmed by heart.