It seems hard to believe that at the beginning of 2020, none of us had ever heard of the Coronavirus. Today it determines almost every part of our life – where we go (and don’t go), how many people we can be with and how close to them we can stand, and even how and when we can grocery shop. Something that directs this much of our lives can be a source of constant anxiety and stress for us. In times like these, all we can do is to ground ourselves in Jesus, and let our faith in him carry us through this difficult time.
There are several definitions of the word ‘grounded’. It can be used as an adjective to mean ‘well balanced and sensible’. It can also be used as a verb that means ‘to give instruct someone thoroughly in a subject’ or ‘to give something abstract a firm theoretical or practical basis.’ The first definition is the one we will consider.
In situations such as this Coronavirus epidemic, we feel that we are not balanced or sensible. Mental health symptoms can rush in and take over, leaving us feeling ungrounded. Is your anxiety or stress higher because of the virus? Are people and situations causing triggers that leave you shaken and worried? Is your fear moving you farther away from Jesus or closer to him?
‘Ground’ is the basis or foundation of anything in our lives. It is what we stand on day after day. The Word of God our pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Ephesians 3:17 is our ‘grounding’ scripture, reminding us that we have been “rooted and established (grounded) in love“. Further, Colossians 1:23 promises that we remain holy if we “continue in (our) faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” We must let God’s love and truth ground us in him. When we do, that love will allow us to ground our emotions, feelings, and thoughts in him.
How is your ground? In Matthew 13:8 and 23, Jesus talks about ‘good soil’ – soil that is healthy and fertile and produces a great crop. How is the ground that you have laid through your relationship with God and his Word? Is your ground rich and fertile, or dry and thirsty? A steadfast, solid foundation will hold us up in difficult times like these, and not allow us to give into irrational thoughts or feelings. The closer we are to Jesus, the stronger our faith and our foundation will be. We can get through anything with Jesus as our firm foundation.
In Exodus 3:5, God tells Moses not to come any closer to the burning bush because it is holy ground. Talk about social distancing! Moses would have made the ground unclean by moving any closer. Right now, we are the burning bush – we don’t have Coronavirus and our homes are still free from the virus as well. Therefore, we have to be careful as to what gets close. Obviously we want to be careful physically – going out, being close to others, etc. But we also want to be careful about what comes into our minds. We cannot neglect our mental health and if we are struggling, we need to reach out, connect, and interact with counselors and with sisters who can help ease our burdens. We need to maintain balance between what is personal/physical and what is spiritual and we do this by being grounded in Jesus and getting help when we need it.
Ephesians 6:13-15 gives us the most practical advice for thriving spiritually in this uncertain time. We must “…put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you can 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.” God’s armor helps us to stand on solid ground. Just like the ‘armor’ of the medical workers, God’s armor protects us and keeps us strong, if we put it on faithfully every day.
Do whatever it takes to be grounded in the truth. “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:19-20).
THE TRUTH
Being grounded in Truth + Managing Mental Health = Being mentally grounded in Jesus!
by: Melanee Castillo