Stressed Out or Stressed While In

Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 6 that the cure for anxiety is a
recognition of his care for us. He reminds us:
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

There is no shortage of factors that can contribute to stress and anxiety in our lives - compound those with fears related to the Coronavirus, and you have a toxic mix that can negatively impact us.  No wonder Paul wrote that instead of a spirit of fear, with have power, love, and...a sound mind!  Isaiah tells us that the Lord will keep the person whose mind is fixed on Him in perfect peace - that is a great description of the peace that only God can give.  We can seek out the truth of God's Word, which can help us triumph over negative emotions.

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We can respond to our fear with faith, with reliance on the Word of God, and recognize that His
presence and the power of His truth are there to sustain us when we face stress and anxiety. 1st Peter 5 states:
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

No doubt, we live in an unstable world, and people are facing stress about a variety of components of this overall crisis.

According to a study out of the U.K., reported on by Newsweek last week:

Researchers from University College London (UCL) reported on Tuesday that a study they are conducting suggests overall stress levels have decreased since COVID-19 lockdown measures began, while depression has increased slightly. Worries over money and food have fallen over the last two weeks, leaving fears over catching the virus the biggest concern expressed by people enrolled in the study.

"Since the lockdown measures were brought in two weeks ago, we have seen a change in what most people are worrying about," the study's lead author Dr. Daisy Fancourt said in a statement. "The current highest stress factor appears to be worries about either catching COVID-19 or becoming seriously ill from it."

There was also a report released last week by the U.K.'s Office of National Statistics that "showed that four out of five adults in the country were very or somewhat worried about COVID-19, with a majority saying it was affecting their well-being, while almost half said they were experiencing high levels of anxiety."

There is a little hope, though, according to the UCL survey: those worries about getting COVID-19 have declined over the last three weeks.  The UCL study did indicate that people between the ages of 30 and 59 were the most concerned about catching the virus.

And, there is financial stress - a survey conducted by the Harris organization for the National Endowment for Financial Education, according to CNBC, showed that almost 9-in-10 Americans were feeling anxious about money, and that "Concerns about having enough money saved came out on top, with 41% saying they were worried about emergency savings and 23% citing retirement."

Almost half of those surveyed were concerned about paying their bills, and 4 out of 10 cited their job security as a "top concern," according to the article.  

But, Americans are making financial decisions to perhaps address their concerns - CNBC reports;

Of those polled, 75% said they have taken steps to adjust their personal finances during the outbreak. Over 2 in 5, or 42%, said they’ve cut monthly expenses, and 26% are delaying major financial decisions.

During the Coronavirus crisis, people have certainly had to make adjustments - from shifted work schedules to no work at all.  People are hurting, and not just from the virus which has affected hundreds of thousands in our nation, with the death toll approaching 50,000.  In our inconvenience and our pain, we have to continue to remember the admonition of the Scriptures to cast our cares on Him. This can also apply to those fears referenced in the Newsweek article about contracting the disease.  We can rely on soundmindedness, powered by the Scriptures to guide us through the fears we encounter.

These numbers indicate a season of high anxiety for many people - and Jesus spoke clearly in Matthew chapter 6 to the topic of anxiety.  The presence of His Spirit is a reminder that He walks with us, and as we seek first His kingdom, He will provide for us.  He has sent His Spirit to us as our comforter and we can seek His peace, that passes human understanding.