COVID-19 and Anxiety

Kaila shares some thoughts in the midst of a strange and disquieting season (COVID-19) and reminds us that Jesus addressed our fear in His Sermon on the Mount.

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“Hey my name is Kaila Yim and I help lead some of our summer mission trips.

I really wanted to encourage you guys today, in light of everything that is going on in the world, this huge global pandemic which has taken up so much of our time, thoughts, energy, and even our focus. I wanted to re-direct our thoughts here (holds up her Bible) today; to God’s Word, to God’s Truth. In the midst of so many fears and anxieties, unknowns, and uncertainties, and even the “what if’s,” we can re-direct our thoughts. We can take God at His Word. We can trust Him. We can trust His heart for us and His character.

And so I wanted to acknowledge that some of us might be feeling anxious during this time. You are not alone in that. We are here for you and we are praying for you and alongside of you as you are navigating this yourself, even with your own family and friends. Some of you maybe even have had to finish your college semester early, and finish school online, or some of you may be out jobs. There’s a lot of uncertainty. I wanted to re-direct our focus to Matthew 6:34. When you get some time it would be great if you were able to dive into Matthew 6:25-34 but for the sake of time, I just want to encourage you with this one verse.
The Lord is telling us, “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” If you get some time to journal and dive into this passage more, ask yourself “What am I anxious about right now?” Really think about what are some repeating thoughts or patterns in your thoughts that you’re noticing that are gravitating more towards anxiety. So, what is making you anxious? What does the Lord say to us in light of this verse and in light of this passage? How do we need to respond?

I also would encourage you and challenge you to look at who the Lord says He is; who does He call Himself, or how does He identify Himself to us? And, who are we to Him in this passage?

I hope that this encourages you, and I pray that this truth would sink deep into your heart and in your spirit, and that you really would begin to practice not being anxious about tomorrow but focusing on the present. Again, we love you and we are praying for you!”

Further Study:

Devotional Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

Reflection Questions:
What am I anxious about right now?
What is God’s response to our anxieties and fears?
How should we respond to Him?
How does God identify Himself? Who are we to Him?

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Originally Published March 30, 2020