When summer ends and kids go back to school, things return to normal—except this year. Covid exhaustion is palpable. A sea of despair surrounds us. Masks barely conceal grumpy and anxious faces.
Are we, the people of God, any different? What do we reflect, the prevailing mood or the joy of the Lord? Let’s refuse to be sitting ducks sliding down into a pond of self-pity. Let’s fight back against feeling miserable. The Bible tells us what to do. Here are four biblical strategies.
Talk to God about your distress. Tell Him what you want and thank Him for something, anything. It makes sense to complain to the One in charge. Giving thanks can be hard, but looking for something to be grateful for already changes your perspective. God promises that this practice will bring His peace to guard your heart and mind (Phil. 4:6-7).
Work! Rather than languishing as a victim of your thoughts, distract yourself by focusing on accomplishing something. We were made for work (Gen. 2:3). No wonder the disciples went back to fishing after Jesus’ resurrection. They felt lost and abandoned, so they resumed their jobs and Jesus met them there (John 21:3-4).
Make a list. An old gospel song teaches a practical way to acknowledge that God is the giver of all good things (James 1:17): Count your many blessings; name them one by one; And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. This list does not make us organized; it makes us grateful (Eph. 5:20). I heard a missionary recount a financially challenging time out on the field. The highlight of his thanksgiving list was the extravagance of two people owning five cups as well as one extra spoon. In comparison, making my luxurious list is easy; the hard part is starting.
Finally, praise the Lord (Psalms 144-150)! My Covid blues buster is hymn singing. The Old Testament records a battle won by singing the O.T. Song (2 Chron. 17). In the New Testament, hymn singing caused an earthquake freeing the imprisoned singers from jail (John 21:3-4). Singing unleashes God’s power, so I sing every day. It is not pretty but without fail, after fifteen minutes of singing Scripture-drenched poetry, I am filled with joy—because my attention has been drawn away from the troubles of this world to the glory of the kingdom of God (Col. 3:2). May the joy of the Lord be your strength (Neh. 8:10)!
—”Count Your Blessings” by Johnson Oatmam, Jr. 1856-1922
—“O.T. Song” see Bible Orientation Volume 1 p.110
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