Are there times right now when you feel the world is in “Pandemic Panic?” 

"We've got national anxiety at the moment, a kind of shared stress, and we are all in a state of extreme uncertainty," says Catherine Belling, an associate professor at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. She studies the role of fear and anxiety in health care. 

The national attitude is one of anxiety, sort of a “shared stress” because of the extreme uncertainty that surrounds us as we deal with the coronavirus situation. Yet, stressing is counter-productive, because research has shown that the more you stress, the more vulnerable you can become to viruses…stress dampens the body’s immune response.

Stress has always been part of life; and, your reaction to it is an attitude.

As Dr. Charles Swindoll has written and explained: “Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitude toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it. I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there is no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.”

Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) was the wife of the famous martyr Jim Elliot, who was killed in Ecuador as he was laboring to bring the Gospel to unreached people groups. She was the author of over twenty books. Elliot toured the country as a speaker, sharing her knowledge and experience well into her seventies.

Years ago, Elisabeth Elliot popularized an old poem—its common-sense simplicity and clear message have encouraged many anxious and weary saints. It may speak to our hearts today.

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, '‘DO THE NEXT THING.'‘

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Give up all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Psalm 34:6

Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” John 14:27

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.