How strong is your immune system?

Scientists, doctors and world leaders are considering how the immune system of individuals of all ages, races and gender have responded or will respond if exposed to the novel coronavirus in hopes to find a cure or vaccine. It seems we are also learning how our mental, emotional and spiritual immune system responds when exposed to significant change and uncertainty.

Some of us have faced a lot of uncertainty in life and are holding up well emotionally, spiritually-though perhaps a bit tired mentally learning to navigate a global pandemic. Others have had less exposure to uncertainty in life and not being in control and feel like crawling in bed and getting up when this is all over. All over the globe, people’s immune system to uncertainty and change is being tested.

How do you strengthen your physical immune system? Certainly, eating a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, good hygiene, perhaps vaccinations or other forms of preventative medicine are associated with prioritizing our health. Those are not always choices that we want to make, but they are worth prioritizing.

How do we strengthen our mental, emotional and spiritual immune system?

We take care of our mind and heart.

First, accept uncertainty is not our enemy. Exposure to uncertainty can build our immune system-helping us be stronger spiritually. We prefer control and predictability. Some of us are in a full-blown love affair with control. We will fight for it, plan for it, spend valuable resources to have it. Control can become an idol as a form of false security. It is a slick and subtle temptation to keep us from trusting the One who is in control at all times- God.

“How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” 2 Samuel 7:22

How strong is your trust in God as the One in control and who cares about you?

In Mark 9:23-24, a scared, tired Dad talked to Jesus about a health struggle his son had since childhood.

The father said to Jesus, “But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”

And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

When we struggle to believe God cares and can be trusted with our worries and world, we can ask Him to help us believe. God will help us walk through physical, mental, emotional or spiritual distress. Hear the invitation from God’s heart……

“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Proverbs 4:20-23

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.” Proverbs 3:1-2

Our emotional distress may be a natural and normal response to change, but our thoughts about circumstances often benefit from being transformed by God’s Word.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2

Remember, Jesus is the Prince of Peace, not panic.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Life includes exposure to both germs and uncertainty. While the world is lacking protective gear for those on the front lines of healthcare, we have unlimited access to God’s protective gear for our heart and mind.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:10-20

A global health crisis cannot separate us from God's love and compassion for us.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Let's work together to stay healthy in our hearts and minds along with our bodies!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Praying for Hope and healing in hearts and homes,

Mary Beth

March 26, 2020