{{item.title | uppercase}}

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)

During this season of caution and self-quarantines, you might find yourself having to stay in your home alone. That isn’t easy when you’re already enduring a lonely walk of losing a husband.

You’re not alone! We’re in this together, and most importantly, we’re in it with God. Here are some biblically-based ideas for combating normal fears and anxieties that can come with having to stay hunkered down in our homes while the news channels report uncertain events around us. It’s a quick hit list for dealing with social distancing as a widow:

1. Recognize the added anxiety and look beyond it to Abba Father:

It’s okay to admit this disease is unsettling and that having to remain alone in a time when you need comfort isn’t easy. Don’t try to brush aside feelings of uncertainty and steel yourself. Rather, recognize that all of us are presented at times in life with anxiety-ridden situations. Turn these thoughts over to God, just as David did while preparing for battle. He said, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2 ESV).

Sister, David knew it wasn’t men over yonder (beyond the hills) he needed to turn to. It was God. Be of warm spirit, sister. Struggles of this world will come and go, but your connection to the Father Almighty brings comfort.

2. Make grace-filled connections:

Don’t wait for others to call. Reach out. Paul tells us in Romans 12:10 (ESV): “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Give yourself a small number as a daily goal for contacts. I reach out to five people every day. Everyone is isolating. We all have time to connect and bond. You’ll find people just as relieved to hear from you as you are to hear their voices.

With time on our hands, we can get going with video-conferencing tools like Zoom, Skype, or Facebook Messenger. If you don’t have the technology or skills for this, call people on the phone or send cards, letters and emails. These tools work well too.

3. Consider activities that inspire you

Whatever you always loved to do, continue on some level. 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

Think about gifts and interests God laid on your heart. If it’s going to the movies, build a movie list, then watch each movie and post your reviews on Facebook to tell your friends what you thought. If you normally assist teachers in the classroom, consider doing so online. With minimal training, you can tap into English as a second language websites and tutor small children with beautiful smiles. Organize your photo collections. Write loved ones. Perhaps even spend time recalling important family legacy events and journaling about them. These will bless generations to come.

4. Keep moving

The closing of gyms doesn’t mean an end to caring for your body. Whatever you did to keep fit, find a way to do so inside. Remember how Paul tells us we “…were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:20 ESV). Keeping up physical movement, stretching and exercise goes a long way to connecting your senses with an acknowledgement that you are alive and moving.

5. Feel God’s sunshine and fresh air

God placed Adam and Eve in a garden with fresh air and sunshine. Clearly, the beauty of that garden was not only in how the plants and animals appeared to the eye, but in how the warmth of the sun and clean coolness of the air felt to the first man and woman. Returning to those elements brings encouragement and joy when we are forced indoors. Just to sit on a porch with the sun on your face and a breeze on your cheeks reminds you of God’s goodness.

Dear Father, help my sister in this ministry listen above all to Your whisper. You know better than she does what it is that will strengthen her. As your prophet (Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)) tells us, “and your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Please calm my sister through the coming weeks. Amen.