It’s okay to admit it. It’s okay to say it out loud: “I’m really worried. I’m scared.” The craziness of these days is starting to get overwhelming. With so many businesses having to close for now, so many people without work, the difficulty of having kids be home all day, and real concerns about getting sick—it is okay and honest to say, “I’m really worried. I’m scared.”
It’s good to say out loud what is bothering us. Otherwise, it will keep eating us up inside. The staff is worried. I’m worried. Because these are uncertain, scary times. Pretending that you’re not worried won’t help you feel better, but getting some of it out will. So say it out loud. Speak it in prayer. Talk about it with family members, friends on the phone, me, or any of the church staff.
Here are other things you can say out loud:
- I miss not be able to see and hug my friends.
- I’m nervous about germs when I touch door handles.
- Having to go out is really stressful, worrying about how close people are.
- I don’t know who has touched the grocery items before me.
- I’m worried about people who aren’t getting paid right now.
- I’m scared that I might not get paid soon.
- I don’t know if my retirement account will recover.
- I wish things were back to normal.
- I’m going crazy trying not to touch my face.
- Making the kids do all their schoolwork at home is really hard.
- I don’t know how long I can keep going like this.
I’m sure you have others. So voice those to God in prayer as well.
There are many examples of people in the Bible being scared. Good people, godly people, who endured uncertain and difficult times. But through it all, God was with them.
Read Luke 9:34-35, when the disciples were afraid as they entered a cloud, but the voice of God and the presence of Jesus was with them.
Read Mark 4:35-41, when there was a great storm, and Jesus’ disciples were upset at him for not doing enough. “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Peace. Be still.’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
So remember, even in the midst of dark clouds and scary storms, God is with you. So listen for God’s voice and the Spirit’s presence saying, “Peace, be still.”
Pastor Stuart