{"id":969,"date":"2020-04-20T01:12:39","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T05:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/web.colby.edu\/coronaguidance\/?p=969"},"modified":"2020-07-21T15:44:52","modified_gmt":"2020-07-21T19:44:52","slug":"umc-anxious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.colby.edu\/coronaguidance\/2020\/04\/20\/umc-anxious\/","title":{"rendered":"United Methodist Church: Tips for when the command ‘do not be anxious’ is hard"},"content":{"rendered":"

A UMC.org feature by Crystal Caviness<\/em><\/p>\n

Even when the Rev. John Stephens quotes the Apostle Paul\u2019s writings in Philippians 4:6 that say, \u201cDo not be anxious about anything,\u201d the Houston area pastor recognizes the struggle.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the hardest commands is not to worry about anything,\u201d says Stephens, senior pastor at\u00a0Chapelwood United Methodist Church<\/a>\u00a0in Chapelwood, Texas. \u201cWorry is constantly deconstructing us, fragmenting us. We are distracted and scattered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although anxiety is an understandable byproduct in a world living with the coronavirus pandemic, some United Methodist pastors say it\u2019s possible to limit or eliminate the fear and worry that threaten many.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople think peace is when all things get resolved,\u201d Stephens comments. \u201cThat\u2019s not what peace is. If you\u2019re just talking about the circumstances changing, then that\u2019s relief. Peace is a state of being and only God can give peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Apostle Paul prescribes prayer<\/h4>\n

So, where does that process begin and how? Scripture tells us, in the second part of verse 6, \u201c\u2026by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Paul is giving us a prescription for taking the worry and getting us to the peace, the oneness and the unity with God,\u201d Stephens teaches.<\/p>\n

When Stephens talks to his congregation about prayer, he usually directs them to a couple of types of praying: centering prayer, which can involve praying Scripture (also called Lectio Divina); and contemplative prayer, which involves sitting and listening to God.<\/p>\n

The purpose of the prayers, he says, is to \u201cmove yourself out of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to praying, the apostle also suggests, in verse 8, to redirect your thoughts, writing, \u201cFinally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable \u2013 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy \u2013 think about such things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul wasn\u2019t a psychologist, but there is all of this science about (your brain\u2019s) neuropathways and how changing your thoughts can change your neuropathways,\u201d says Stephens, adding that he believes Paul is telling us to think positively.<\/p>\n

\n
Seven tips to combat fear<\/div>\n
\n
    \n
  1. Pray<\/li>\n
  2. Focus on the positive<\/li>\n
  3. Find a reason to laugh<\/li>\n
  4. Take up a new activity<\/li>\n
  5. Turn off the news<\/li>\n
  6. Revisit something that comforts you<\/li>\n
  7. Create a to do list<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Look for the beautiful<\/h4>\n

    Focusing on what is beautiful and good is how the Rev. Donna Pritchard chooses to combat worry.\u00a0 Whether that\u2019s a flower blooming in her yard or lines from her favorite poems, the senior pastor at\u00a0First United Methodist Church<\/a>\u00a0in Portland, Oregon, uses this coping mechanism to stay connected with God.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThese are signs of God\u2019s creative presence in this world right now,\u201d she shares. \u201cJust because we\u2019re experiencing life in a new, strange and difficult way, does not mean that God is not with us. We need to remember that this moment is still God\u2019s moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Just laugh<\/h4>\n

    In addition to looking at the positive in the world, Pritchard finds ways to laugh every day.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t forget the power of humor. Particularly at a time when people may be acutely aware of the pain in the world, it helps to say there are reasons to laugh,\u201d she explains, adding that laughter benefits a person\u2019s immune system too.<\/p>\n

    The Rev. Matt Hall comes at this topic through the lens of recovery. As the associate pastor of recovery ministries at\u00a0First United Methodist Church<\/a>\u00a0in Maryville, Tennessee, \u2014 and as someone in recovery himself \u2013 Hall understands fear and its pitfalls.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSomething that I continuously tell folks is that the opposite of addiction isn\u2019t sobriety,\u201d he says. \u201cThe opposite of addiction is community.\u201d<\/p>\n

    In the absence of physical community mandated by state and local governments, Hall works to keep an emotional connection through online meetings, regular phone calls and other creative means, such as Netflix viewing parties.<\/p>\n

    Personally, he\u2019s come up with his own list of ways to push through the solitude so that it does not lead to fear.<\/p>\n

    Try something new, revisit something old<\/h4>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ve taken up cooking,\u201d Hall shares, noting that he\u2019s never had the time to do that before.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThis is a great opportunity to try new things,\u201d Hall suggests, saying that trying something new without an audience has advantages. \u201cWhen\u2019s a better time \u2013 and safer place \u2013 to fail than when confined to you own house?\u201d<\/p>\n

    While Hall may be taking on new experiences, one way he is combating worry is by eliminating other things.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m being very intentional about not following any news outlets,\u201d Hall says. \u201cI feel like any breaking news will come to me one way or another. It isn\u2019t healthy for me to be bombarded by it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Instead, Hall turns to items that have brought him comfort during past difficult times, such as books.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m revisiting Bob Goff\u2019s \u2018Love Does,\u2019\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s one of two books I own on my Kindle. I\u2019ve probably read that book 20 or 30 times.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Of course, prayer is part of Hall\u2019s prescription too.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAs I\u2019ve prayed for God to take away the fear, then I do something,\u201d Hall shares. \u201cIn my own personal experience, I\u2019ve found that my prayers are better when coupled with actions on my end.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Actions, for Hall, include making a daily to do list, which always consists of a list of 10 people to call.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf they are in my phone,\u201d Hall says, \u201cI believe they are in there for a reason and that reason may be to call and say, \u201cHello,\u201d today.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Note: This article and the opinions from United Methodist pastors are not intended to replace medical advice. If you are experiencing depression or prolonged bouts of anxiety, please seek help from medical professionals.<\/em><\/p>\n

    *<\/em>Crystal Caviness works for UMC.org at\u00a0United Methodist Communications. Contact her by\u00a0<\/em>email<\/em><\/a>\u00a0or at 615-742-5138.<\/em><\/p>\n

    [April 20, 2020]<\/p>\n