As bad as the COVID-19 virus is, there are other problems that sometimes come alongside this general pandemic. General uneasiness. Anxiety. Depression. Loneliness. Drug and alcohol abuse. Increased spouse and child abuse. Pornography. Suicide. How can you best protect your mind, emotions, and body?

In the midst of these severe mitigation efforts—now extended nationally for the next 30 days—how can you best protect your mind, emotions, and body?

I’ve been talking with people who feel down. Some who feel as if they are going stir crazy. Others whose heart sank when they were told 30 more days of this. And even others who are afraid they’re going to gain (they jokingly say) 600 pounds.

Possibly you are like these people.

As bad as the COVID-19 virus is, there are other problems that sometimes come alongside this general pandemic. General uneasiness. Anxiety. Depression. Loneliness. Drug and alcohol abuse. Increased spouse and child abuse. Pornography. Suicide.

How can you best protect your mind, emotions, and body? Let me suggest a few ideas for each.

Protecting Your Mind

Keep it busy as you can—read, solve puzzles, play word games, crosswords, Sudoku, journal, and study something. Research something online that you have always wanted to know about. Read about it. Watch YouTube videos that help teach you.

Of course as a Christian there is Bible reading, Bible memorization, Bible meditation, and prayer. Read devotions online. Start a Bible-reading plan. Watch sermons online of your own church if possible and then others that you enjoy.

Read the psalms. They will help put words to the thoughts and emotions of your heart.

Pray through your concerns. What is facing you now? What may face you in the future? Put words to your thoughts as you talk to God.

Pay attention to what you are thinking. Where is your focus? Are you thinking primarily about the pandemic, the mitigation efforts, the stock market, your finances, and everything else related? Or, are you thinking about God, God’s faithfulness, God’s love, Jesus Christ, special and favorite verses, and all the things for which you can be grateful?

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