Day 8: The Coronavirus Blues

Devotional: Applying the Bible to my today.

Read: Isaiah 43:4, John 1:12, Deuteronomy 31:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Philippians 3:20 (Msg)

By Gabrielle Green

Feeling glum or down? Take a breath, because you aren't alone. Our world is in a frenzy of isolation and anxiety; what you are feeling is natural. Most of us are locked in our houses away from others, and that can be a scary thing. Isolation is almost always accompanied by the blues. Whenever we catch the blues, there can be a tendency to cave from within ourselves. Insecurities rise to the surface, and anxiety gnaws on our hearts. Here a few things that I have done when I feel a little blue and I hope they will be helpful for you, as well, in this season:

Take a DEEP breath and speak these truths over yourself:

• I am deeply loved and cherished by the sovereign God.

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.” (Isaiah 43:4)

• I am forgiven and a beloved child of the Holy Father.

“But to all who did accept Him, and trust in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” (John 1:12)

• It is going to be okay, because the Lord of Angel Armies will never abandon me.

“The Lord himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

• I am a new creation through Jesus Christ. He has made me whole.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

• This world is not my home, I am a citizen of the Kingdom of the only God.

“But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.” (Philippians 3:20)

Action Ideas for Combating the Blues:

• Do a study on the character of God and then do a study on what scripture says about those who are in Christ. Write some of your findings on sticky notes and put them everywhere!
• When lies threaten, proclaim truths of scripture over yourself. Lies cannot win against the Truth. Honestly, I speak these truths out loud sometimes. I am not sure what it is about saying something out loud, but even proclaiming the name of Jesus out loud changes both my perspective and my emotions. Shout it to the rooftops or in your car or bedroom or wherever, "Sin has no hold on me, for Christ is my victory!"
• Remind someone about these truths. I like to write people notes, but you might like to pick up the phone or shoot a text. When the church reminds one another of who we are in Christ, things change (for the better).
• Make a Gratitude List. The power of gratitude is crazy! I have found that writing out all that I am grateful for and then thanking God for each of those things has turned some of my darkest moments into my most worshipful and joy-filled ones. With the seasons changing, I am going to start typing out a gratitude list once a day. Feel free to join me!
• Sometimes it helps for someone to just know that you feel blue. There have been times that I have felt blue, and I simply tell my husband that I feel blue. He does not bring attention to it or drill me with questions or even try to make me feel better. He just gives me extra affirmation, affection, and reminds me of who I am to God and to him. Sometimes we just need somebody to know that we are feeling blue and not try to fix it. Whether you are single or married with eight kids, a listening ear can be a healing balm for the blues, so let someone know how you feel.

There are many more things that you might do to help combat the blues. These have just been practices in my own life that have filled my soul up to the brim with a refreshed joy in the Lord. Remember, nobody is immune to the blues. If you need a listening ear, do not be afraid to ask because you are not alone in this!

Gabrielle Green is the Worship Arts Minister at Highland Park Christian Church in Tulsa, OK. Connect with Gabrielle on her blog, Living Rescue, where she provides inspirational and practical insights for biblical living.