Faith with Action: Time To Take Action
Faith in the midst of the COVID-19 storm
April 8, 2020
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? “James 2:14-26 King James Version (KJV)
It is during times of trials and tribulations that our faith is tested. The COVID-19 pandemic is one of those times. The fight against an invisible enemy is not new to the Believer; For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. So, what do we do with this? A virus that we cannot see causing damage not only to our bodies, but our minds and spirit. In addition to the Spiritual Armor of God, it is important that we put our faith in action, using wisdom to discern how to protect ourselves in the natural.
What is known: A new, very contagious virus, known as COVID-19, is spreading throughout the world causing a high number of deaths and illness.
What is not known: The exact source (though several good theories), how long the virus will continue to spread, how it’s stopped or specifically treated, and how it’s cured. Because the medical world is seeing this particular virus for the first time, they are learning as they go. Information is being shared and practiced based on what is thought to work in real time.
Who is at risk: Everyone! Young, old, healthy, unhealthy, all races and ethnicities. However, people who are at higher risk of becoming the sickest include those with underlying chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, COPD, age over 65, and those with a weakened immune system. Unfortunately, due to multiple factors, Black communities across the country, communities which have historically suffered from both health and economic disparities, are being impacted by the pandemic at a higher rate. This high spread in our community has caused great alarm. Suspected reasons for this great difference include lower access to testing and health care, delayed care, lack of appropriate resources at hospitals that serve marginalized communities, poor or inadequate living/social conditions, misinformation and poor health literacy, lack of overall resources (i.e. food, money), and underlying poor health. Differences that have been present prior to COVID-19 attributing to significant and unconscionable outcomes during a crisis.
How can I stay safe: Obey recommendations by experts. Stay at home orders, social distancing, quarantining/isolation, handwashing, and wearing masks, are all put in place to help slow the spread of the illness and keep people healthy. It’s important to understand that even if you are otherwise healthy or not experiencing symptoms, it is believed that you can pass the virus on to someone else. You might be able to fight the virus off very easily and recover quickly. In fact, most people who have had the virus or presumed to have it, only experienced symptoms similar to a cold or mild flu and recover well. However, for some people, the impact of the virus can be much worse. Every individual is different in what they experience. Due to the high risk of how sick it can make you and the ability of your health care system to have the resources to treat you, your best way to take action for you and your loved ones is to follow recommendations to stay safe.
Where do I get information: The mistrust of the government, systems, and institutions, including medical, is valid. This is largely based on historical and modern accounts of the treatment of Blacks. As a Believer, we trust God as the Master Physician and Healer. We also know that God works through people and have given various skills and gifts to be used for His glory. Pray and ask God for wisdom, who gives generously to all without finding fault. This is not a time to be unwise.
Be careful to check that you are getting information from knowledgeable sources. Everything you read or hear about is not fact, no matter how popular a source may be on social media or other. Always verify facts even what is being said in mainstream news media. Sadly, the early myth spread by some that people of African descent cannot contract the virus may have contributed to the higher rates of illness and death being experienced in Black communities.
Your primary care doctor/clinic, local health department (health.state.mn.us), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov), and World Health Organization (who.int) are sources of information.
What can I do now: Some immediate things you can do in addition to following expert recommendation include taking care of yourself. Similar to a soldier preparing for battle, having your body and immune system prepared against these so-called invisible enemies should start before the attack. The preparation is three-fold; mind, body, and spirit.
Stress and anxiety about the illness or anything else (food security, loss of income, safety, chronic illness, etc.…) makes one vulnerable to illness. The mind-body connection is strong, and your body feels what you think. Stress hormones decrease the immune response, so it’s important to try to manage worry and negative thinking as best as possible. Some ways to do this include prayer, meditation, positive distraction (learn something new, plan the new business, write the book, avoid stressful media), and connecting with others through video or phone. Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation. Show love and compassion for one another.
Deep breathing several times a day also combats the stress response with the relaxation response as it decreases heart rate and blood pressure and increases oxygen flow in the body. Laughter is also a great way of doing this. Laughing gives organs a burst of oxygen and releases endorphins and other stress-busting hormones to reduce anxiety and stress. It’s hard to think of laughing at a time like this, however, the Word tells us that a merry heart is like good medicine!
From a physical health perspective, we must move, get the right energy and nutrients from our eating, and get enough sleep. Keep the body moving by walking, dancing, and other ways to stay active. Exercise releases chemicals in the body (endorphins) that are effective in reducing stress hormones and increase immunity. It’s more important than ever now to get your body the right energy it needs through healthy eating. Choose foods that are nutrient dense; meaning those that actually add a value and beneficial content as it relates to energy and providing nutrients to carry out essential body functions, including building immunity. These are your vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Processed, high salt, high fat, and sugary foods do not provide dense nutrients and could also increase inflammation and other damage in the body. There’s a reason why these foods are labeled as “junk foods”. They provide no significant value to the body. We need our bodies working for us not against us.
Let’s put our faith in action! Take action that could make the difference in not only fighting off this invisible enemy, but building a mind & body that is ready for battle and fit for daily living. God is our strength and he has gifted us with resiliency. We have faith that we will overcome this.
Written by: Tamiko Foster, MD, MPH