4 Steps for Navigating Fear
In last week’s article, I shared how fear serves an important role and acts like the warning light on the dash of our car. How did last week go? Did you recognize this warning light going off in yourself, your spouse, or child?
If your answer is yes, then you may be wondering what to do. Here are four steps to help you navigate your fear and for you to help your family members navigate their fears:
1. Pray & remind yourself of who God is:
Take a deep, slow breath or 20 and share your fears with your heavenly father. Ask Him for His peace and wisdom. Remind yourself of those truths in God’s word about who He is and His character. For example, He is sovereign and all knowing.
2. Develop & implement a plan:
For example:
Determine steps needed to protect your family from getting sick, such as limit social interaction, wash hands, etc.
Establish a new routine – after being somewhere, get in car and use hand sanitizer on hands, inside door handle, phone and wallet before touching the steering wheel
Check into alternative options to meet medical needs, if the need arises
Think of alternative solutions for social engagement
…..
This will not be a one and done plan. As you implement it, you will need to revise it to better meet your family’s needs. There will be items on the list that you won’t have immediate solutions for but part of your plan may be steps to find those solutions.
3. Find a community:
Fear becomes more paralyzing when we go through it alone. Find a community that gets it but be aware of the culture of that community. You become like the people you spend the most time with. If the community is negative and not hope-filled, that will feed your fear and not reset it.
As a side note, if this is a need that you see in your life, I would like to invite you to join the Hope Anew Online Community. This is a great time to join as we have waived the membership fee. You can learn more at HopeAnew.com
4. Look for ways to bless others:
When we look for ways to be “Jesus with skin on” to others, it can take our focus off ourselves and we can receive joy as we encourage others.
During this time you may need to be creative but it can become a fun family project.
As you are figuring out how to navigate this new season, remember that God is with you. He loves you and your family. He will never leave you and never forsake you.
Written by Jonathan McGuire
Jonathan McGuire is the father of two sons and the co-founder of Hope Anew, a nonprofit that comes alongside the parents of children impacted by disability on a spiritual and emotional level. You can follow Hope Anew on Facebook here.
Hope Anew has launched the Hope Anew Online Community and would love to have you be a part of it! You can learn more at www.HopeAnew.com. Due to COVID-19, Hope Anew is waiving all membership fees for the community!
Written by Jonathan McGuire