During difficult times, it can be tough to maintain a sense of faith or overall positivity.
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society Senior Pastor Greg Wilcox says having faith can help ease the unpredictability and difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wilcox answered questions from Facebook Live viewers on why it’s important to remain steadfast in faith and positivity in the midst of an uncertain time.
Watch video: Facebook Live Q&A with Rev. Dr. Greg Wilcox
Easing worry and anxiety
One viewer asked what can be done to ease their worry and anxiety. Wilcox said five practices have helped him. The first and second revolved around “taking time.”
“Take some time away. I know there are some people who are isolated that have too much time to themselves. But, just take some time to process what’s going on. Just to be able to process that, to be able to think.”
“The second, in my faith experience, taking time to pray. Connecting with that one that you trust. That sense of the promise and power of God’s love for you. Taking time to remember that you’re not alone. There is one who loves you,” said Wilcox.
Wilcox also said, despite the heavy feeling surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to laugh.
“Take the opportunity to laugh. That’s very critical in these heavy times. Take an opportunity to push away the heaviness, and feel the light-heartedness of laughter. Laughter can lighten a very heavy situation.”
Taking time for “someone or something you love,” is also important in easing uneasy feelings, according to Wilcox.
“It can be family and friends, it can be hobbies. Focusing on something you love, can really give you something to look forward to. It’s an incredible release, any time of year, but especially now.”
Lastly, be grateful.
“We tend to only focus on the negative. There’s a whole lot of it. We’re stuck at home, the businesses around us are closed, we can’t go to the mall, we go to the grocery store and the shelves are empty. If we can intentionally look away from the negative things, but focus on what we have to be grateful for, that can significantly shift our perspective and our attitude.”
Spiritual resources
A viewer asked Wilcox what resources are available for staff and residents of the Good Samaritan Society facilities.
“There’s a lot of variation. Many of our Good Samaritan locations have chaplains. The chaplains these days are doing extraordinary work,” he said. “They are dealing with the restrictions, with the social distancing within our nursing homes, but they’re finding ways. Broadcasting devotions over a TV, having one on one devotions, a lot of listening, and they’re doing this for the staff as well.”
Learn how the Society is making it easier for residents to connect with their loved ones.
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Posted In COVID-19, Expert Q&A, Wellness
