Our lives are more demanding these days as we are experiencing many safety challenges of ongoing covid-19 and anxiety due to the division of our races in our country with racial unrest.

It is a stressful time for everyone. Stress is also on the rise due to isolation and control of growing concerns about family, money, health, and personal safety. While we can’t completely avoid stress, we can take some sensible precautions so that life’s challenges can be managed minimizing the negative effects of stress.

• Find a refuge. Remove yourself from the stressful situation and find a quiet spot where you can be alone. Any private space will do.
• Stop and breathe. Be seated, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths to calm yourself and gain some distance from the stressful situation.
• Take your physical and emotional pulse. Check your heartbeat and allow it to slow down. Release the tension in your body. Now check your emotional state and identify the dominant emotion you are feeling. Fear? Anger? Frustration? Grief?
• Search for the source of the emotion. In any situation there are factors you can change, and factors beyond your control. Focus on what you can change.
• Take good care of yourself — body, mind, and spirit. Eating a balanced, nutritious diet will help fortify you against stress as well as rest and exercise.

A healthy spirituality is also a key to handling distress. Sharing faith with others brings bonds of friendship and support and puts you in touch with God’s healing nurturance. If you feel spiritually empty, it may be a sign that stress is taking its toll on your soul. Try to find an appropriate way to express your spirituality in your daily life, through quiet time for reading and reflection or prayer.

Brenda Lytle, RN
Director of Care Ministries

Psalm 4

This psalm may be comforting when you need to calm anxiety. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.
Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.