It’s easy to become overwhelmed by stress, fear, and anxiety, especially with the challenges in today’s culture and world. We want to help you find peace in the midst of the current storms, and hope these resources might be of help.
STRESS AND COPING
The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a helpful information page about stress and coping. Click here or the above icon to redirect to their page.
AN INVITATION FROM AUTHOR LOUIE GIGLIO
Right now, many of us are faced with the three-pronged advance of a global health pandemic, a world economy that's come to a screeching halt, and the personal crisis of fear-filled anxiety.
I want to encourage you to walk through my devotional, Putting an "X" Through Anxiety.
Anxiety is a powerful giant that would like you to believe your life will never be normal again. But when we set our eyes on someone bigger and more powerful - Jesus, our giant slayer - we can find freedom.
If anxiety, worry, fear, or depression is the dread hanging over your life in these unprecedented days - I want to invite you to take a journey with me into the valley where these giants loom large - threatening, taunting, intimidating, incapacitating, and paralyzing us with threats of doom and demise.
I know this giant well, and have suffered from this valley in years past. Yet, I also know there is a way to overcome anxiety. I know firsthand that you can emerge on the other side of the depression and live to tell about someone who has already won the war.
If we're going to win, it is imperative for you and your circle to know that you are not standing helplessly alone in your valley. God Almighty is with us and He is fighting for us. In fact, He's already taken on every "goliath" and won!
Join me on this journey as we set our gaze on Jesus. We won't ignore that a behemoth called anxiety has its foot on our neck, but we will choose to lift our eyes and see someone bigger and more powerful - someone who loves us and plans to lead us back into the light. Click the above icon or here to join Louie’s devotional.
We were privileged to have a conversation with Michal Anne Whitcomb, a counselor with the Dallas Counseling Group, about some things we can do to manage the anxiety we feel and to help our families and children do the same.
COPING SKILLS BY CATEGORY
During a recent Q&A session licensed counselor, Michal Anne Whitcomb, MA, LPC, reviewed a variety of helpful coping skills for anxiety. Click here or the above icon to obtain the session handout.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRESS AND ANXIETY?
”Anxiety is different from typical everyday stress. Technically speaking, stress refers to our body being out of balance. When our physical body gets out of balance due to strong thoughts or emotions, we are stressed! What’s so exciting about stress is that it can be positive (like feeling so excited we’re speechless) or it can be negative (like being so fearful that we start trembling). Often it serves a really useful purpose of helping us to kick into gear when we tackle a tough assignment or enter “the zone” when it’s time to sink a free-throw. Growth means change, and nothing promotes change better than stress sending us a little bit off balance.
On the other hand, anxiety is about the way we respond mentally. Like stress, anxiety can sometimes be helpful: When the smoke alarm goes off or the dashboard of the car lights up, that sense of worry and preoccupation we feel helps us to make a good decision. However, for many of us, anxiety often starts to get in the way. Anxious perfectionism might lead to sleepless nights, withdrawing from friends, and a head full of “what-ifs.” When anxiety starts to produce repetitive and disruptive thoughts which make us want to avoid people or situations out of worry, we are entering the realm of anxiety disorders.
Although each is different, anxiety disorders share something in common: a mixture of anxious thoughts and bodily symptoms (like sweating, shortness of breath, and a racing heart) which all lead us to avoid the important things of life. Peer relationships, for example, are one of the most important things to every young person (whether they realize it or not). So when worries about having panic attacks, worries about what other people think, or worries about all the work that still needs to be done prevent young people from meaningful social connection, something is amiss.” —Aaron Rosales
Licensed therapist, Aaron Rosales, shares more about stress and anxiety as well warning signs to be mindful of. Click here or the above icon for the full article.
Welcome to the Faith in an Anxious World Parenting Podcast, where we have hope-filled conversations about teenagers and anxiety. This podcast is part of the parent resources for Faith in an Anxious World, a four-week high school curriculum. Whether you’re a parent or a ministry leader, listen in as we talk with mental health experts, and discover tips to have meaningful conversations with young people beyond youth group.
STAYING CONNECTED WITH YOUNG & YOUNG ADULTS
WHEN THEY ARE ANXIOUS AND ISOLATED
More so than seemingly ever before, next generations need parents, mentors, ministry leaders, educators, and faith-filled peers to be relationally invested in this present situation of “shelter in place.” In my mind all adults need to be practicing young and young adult ministry right now.
Friend and colleague, Steve Argue, PhD, offers insights and great suggestions for ministry to youth and young adults during this pandemic. Click here or the above icon for his valuable article.
IN MY FEELINGS
A 5-Day Study looking at how we can manage our feelings through the Word of God. Examining topics such as Insecurity, Worry, Stress & Discouragement. Rob Stanmore is the Young Adults Pastor (Powerhouse) at the Hills Campus at Hillsong Church. A Bible.com plan referred by Pastor Justin Yang. Click here or the above icon to start this plan.
FIND SCRIPTURAL RELIEF FROM THE WORRY AND STRESS
One of my favorite inspirational authors, Max Lucado, is offering free an online Bible study based on his book, “Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World.” I’d highly recommend using this resource with your family, among your peers, or even as the start of a digital LIFEgroup.
We were having a great conversation with our YG leaders and I had to explain that the title “Anxious for Nothing” was not diminishing the real anxiety we are experiencing about real things, it was rather religious language derived from a Bible passage shared in the voice of the King James translation:
“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 [NKJV]
What fascinating times we live in! Click here to sign up for the online Bible study or click the above icon.
FINANCIAL FEARS MET WITH HOPE
It’s scary out there, but hope is greater than fear. Join bestselling authors Dave Ramsey, Rachel Cruze and Ken Coleman as they give super practical, super clear advice on what you need to do with your money and career right now.
Because it has helped us personally, Dee and I strongly encourage you to consider Financial Peace University, and take advantage of the free try-out Dave is offering, https://bit.ly/3duyIgd
CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY: COPING WITH STRESS, FEAR, AND ANXIETY
Fears about COVID-19 can take an emotional toll, especially if you’re already living with an anxiety disorder. But you’re not powerless. These tips can help you get through this stressful time. Click here or the above icon for HealthGuide’s recommendations.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT LINE
If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, help is available.
Please call the toll-free HHSC COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at 833-986-1919 to speak with a mental health professional for help dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression.
Find other helpful mental health support resources from Texas Health and Human Services by clicking here or the above icon.
OUR PRAYER
We have not only faith, but also evidence from His faithfulness throughout our lives, that GOD will see us through. Our prayers continue over all of you, asking Christ Jesus to provide you and yours peace amidst this storm, knowing He has always had power over the winds and the waves.
In closing, let me turn our focus back to that Philippians passage, here paraphrased by Pastor Eugene Peterson:
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” —Philippians 4:6-7 [Message]
Let’s transform our worry into worship. We love you all and look forward to seeing you [online] this weekend. #BeJesus #BeYG
Previously Available Resource Programming
NAVIGATING ANXIETY // Question & Answers Session with Michal Anne Whitcomb, MA, LPC
The Coronavirus situation is difficult for all of us to deal with. How do you approach the reality of fear and anxiety it can cause in a healthful way? What are healthy coping mechanisms? How do you help your family to process what's going on in their world?
Join us on Sunday, March 29, at 5:00PM [CDT] for an online event with Michal Anne Whitcomb, MA, LPC. She will provide additional insight into managing anxiety and coping. Any questions you have will also be answered as a part of this special online Zoom event. You can participate in the Zoom meeting, click here on the above icon.
JOURNAL JOURNEY FOR YOUTH
Generation Z taking some time each day to journal can help them manage stress and alleviate anxiety. UNDERGROUND in collaboration with Live Inspired Love Harder is launching a 30-day live Instagram journey. For more info click here or the above icon.