Over Fear

"But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did

to Pharaoh and to all Egypt."

Deuteronomy 7:18

There are places that you look and see panic. There are places that you are and feel panic. Depression and anxiety can be increased and or felt during different seasons of your life.You might have thought a few things during different seasons related to depression and anxiety: "I just have to cope," "I have to find something to do," and even said "My mental illness will get worse." So let's address that last one with your eyes set on Him.

You know that He has walked before you. In every moment of your life you can trust that He has been there before. You can also trust that when times are fearful, He is not missing. He is right here. He is beside you. He is within you. He is in front of you. He is behind you. He is all around you. He is the bubble of safety.

Depression and anxiety may be inevitable at a time. But there are things that you can do to safeguard yourself and your loved ones:

* Learning about depression and anxiety is one way to do this

* Checking in with yourself and loved ones that you know have a history of depression and anxiety is another way

* Reading up on the blogs on He is for Me that address "Managing Depression" . These tools can be useful for anxiety as well. They can also be useful for managing the unknown that this season of depression and anxiety.

* Reading books in the Bible and scripture that can lead you closer to Him and further from the panic that at times surrounds you.

* Prayer

Research supports praying as a means to improve immune system function. It also improves mood and overall wellbeing. Prayer is beneficial not only to build the relationship with Him, but to also separate you from the panic that is happening around you. From a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy perspective, when you see panic, you may begin to feel panic, and therefore start behaving in a way that reflects panic. You must stop the cycle by not giving into it. Your thoughts influence your feelings, which influence your behaviors.

So here is one prescription that I have to offer in a time like this: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, 13

*Take one moment of love every 4 hours or as needed.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The panic around you may not be yours to control, but the response that you have to it continues to be your to manage. Repeat after me: He. is. for. Me.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13

Choose your own memory verse to memorize and dive into during this season

Reflection:

How can you grow closer to Him during this season?

How can you recognize depression and anxiety in yourself and in others?

How can you share what you have and know to support others?

Prayer:

Lord, Heavenly Father. I come to You with weighted breathes. I come to You with anticipation. But I know that You are here. I know that You are with me. I know that You are present. I take my deep breathing as a sign to turn this season over to You. I pray for those who are in this season and lost. I pray for those who are battling battles in this time. I pray for the leadership around the world to come together and be wise. I pray that panic becomes small. I pray that faith, hope, and love become big. I pray that others continue to lean into You more and more during this time and that the relationships begin to blossom as this season progresses. Lord, I know that there is panic in the world. I also know that You are comfort. I pray for this time and for healing. Lord thank you for the blessings that You have given me, the comfort that You are, and the hope that You represent. I pray all of this in Your son's name. Amen.