5 practical ways to get past being afraid is the beginning of the solution. Once you start this process and look differently at the problem you will see other solutions. Leading your family past the fear of this day can seem like an overwhelming task.  Especially now in the midst of the most difficult time, we have ever lived.

Guess what, we can linger on the fact that life is not the way it used to be. Honestly it probably never will be again, or we can take this chance to look at how we have been living and change.

1. Look At The situation Differently

Now you may be saying, Janet, I can’t do that, but that is not true. My dad told me a story one time about his older sister, Ruby.

My father grew up very poor. There were 11 of them and so his parents just did not have a lot. It was his birthday and he really wanted a new pair of overalls. Why I don’t know. Anyway, my aunt Ruby new this is what he wanted so badly. So she took his old overalls pressed, repaired, and did all she could to make them better.

She also wrapped them up in a “magic box”. When the dungarees were presented to my dad she said some kind of imaginary incantation over the box. It was a really big ceremony over a pair of used overalls. So along with cake, ice cream and a little magic show, my young father opened his overalls.

They were not new, but someone took the time to make them seem newer. Then the presentation of magic overalls made them seem even grander. Daddy said he proudly accepted his overalls back and wore them with pleasure.

Nothing really changed that day, they still could not afford new overalls or many other things, but what did change was my dads perspective.

He thought that a brand new pair of whatever would make him happy. What he discovered was he had sisters that really loved him. They loved him enough to make a big deal out of his birthday and impress upon him that he was important to them.

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The Present day crisis

We are living through the worst crisis of our times. It seems terrible, doesn’t it. When this virus first started my department shut down and I was going to be out of work. I had to start taking care of other nurses on a COVID floor. We started calling it the COVID CLUB.

We were working long days in fear of the unknown. They were difficult days, to say the least. After the 12 hour shifts, I came home, cried, showered, and pretty much went to bed.

2. Be Honest

The difficulties during this crisis are real. We have had to face financial difficulties as bringing death to some people’s doors. Those are truths that can not be ignored. The changes we have had to make are tremendous. Everything is different and no one likes for life to be turned upside down.

The truth can not be hidden. We will face difficult times. This period in history will not be the last challenge we will see. Maybe the next one will be personal, not global. Nevertheless, we must determine how to address it.

3. Make a choice on your perspective to Get Past being afraid

Here is the time to make a choice, how will I get past being afraid? The first thing you will have to do is change the way you think about it. Perspective is everything. Ask yourself is there anything good that can come out of this?

Truthfully, what is the worst thing that can happen during this particular crisis? If you answered death than you are probably right. Yet only 1% of those that get the COVID disease die from it. Speak the truth out loud to help get past being afraid in a practical way.

Looking at a situation in real light with truth being the center is necessary. We wouldn’t call something a crisis if there wasn’t real risk involved, but perspective is everything.

How can we change the way we view something? It is easier than you think. Our minds don’t control us. We control our thoughts and minds.

Is there anything you can say good about a particular crisis that happened before today? Remembering those good things can change our perspective.

Genesis 50:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

^” But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Joseph

You may not know this story but it is about a boy that was thrown into a pit and later sold into slavery by his brothers. Yep, true story, they were jealous of him. Anyway, years later after reconnecting with his family, he makes this comment above.

During the midst of difficulties it can be very hard to see your way past the moment. that is where your perspective will have to come in.

The funny thing about people during hard times is we tend to come together. It may not look the way it used to but it can still be good. So try to change this way you look at a crisis. Now may be the time to do something different. You may never have the chance again.

Difficulties can be a gift of time, change, or even maturity revealed. This maybe your chance to step up and shine in a different way, so that others can follow. Remembering that this too shall pass is true. The present difficulty will not last forever and you can only do YOU. Never let your thoughts control your actions.

4. Think About what you can control

There are practical ways of getting past being afraid. Constantly thinking about the unknown and the end of a crisis can drive you crazy. Fear will continue perpetually in you mind if you let it.

One of my favortie people in history is Florence Nightingale. She said,

How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.

Florence Nightingale

Isn’t that so true. Fear will cause us to make so many mistakes that can not be taken back. Focus on what you can control. You can control how you will spend your day. It can be a pleasant time with family, reading or even learning a new skill.

During a time of crisis what others are saying or doing doesn’t matter. Be deliberate about your time and how you spend it. Use good things to read and do to fill your thoughts.

During Desert Storm the 24 hour news channels became a new thing. I got into the habit of turning the TV on watching it 24/7. The war was going on in my living room. It consumed my thoughts. I had let it invade my life too much.

Someone told me very kindly, “You need to stop watching that!”. When I turned the TV off and stopped watching it so much, my thoughts were no longer consumed by the outcome of the war.

We can easily allow things out of our control to consume us. It’s not just about war but a relationship that is toxic or an illness. Many things not worthy of being in your head need to be kicked out.

Be careful about what you watch and what you read. Don’t let the things out of your control consumes you. Other people’s actions, governments, and many things are just not decided by us. To get past the fear, we have to ponder the things we can control.

5. WE have to determine to get past being afraid

So, practically speaking the first part of getting past being afraid is to admit you were to begin with. It does no good to act like you are not afraid. That will not help you to overcome it.

If you have just been told you lost your job, or have breast cancer, those are scarey words. Ignoring the fear will not make it disappear. Recognizing the emotion you are feeling is part of the process.

When we were told our way of living was going to change, possibly forever, I was scared. My thought went down all kinds of rabbit trails. I had thoughts of loosing so any things, my life, spouse, parents, home, the list could have just kept going.

That is where we must stop. The Word comes to mind here for me.

Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

There is enough practical teaching about getting past being afraid for a lifetime in those words. Nothing good comes from fear, worry, or anxiety. Recognize your fear and be courageous enough to decide not to live there.

Fill this time of crisis with prayer, reading the word, and worship. Use this chance to reevaluate your values and life.  “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Now is the time to get past the fear

Now is the time and now is the chance. You can change the way you think and what you do during a crisis. The crisis does not have to define. you. Take the situation seriously and know the outcome can be better for you and your family.

You can do this. None of are really alone during a crisis. God said, “I am with you.” and remember FEAR is never of God. Honestly, Janet