If there is one recurring theme surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that of fear. Twenty-four-hour news feeds on coronavirus cases have many people continually harassed and tormented by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty; the real weapons of mass destruction.
It was once said: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” I would like to proclaim that your mind is the most important asset that you possess, and protecting it from fear and cultivating courage should be your daily assignment. With a fearful mind, you will never have the tools to overcome and thrive during life’s turbulent events.
You must have a courageous mind. Why? How can you serve yourself or mankind with a weak, flimsy mind? How can you fulfill your life’s calling or ministry when you pay all of your attention to the outer self and neglect the inner self, which is where the mind resides? More importantly, your mind is where God resides within you, according to 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Fear can really jack you up if you let it. Remember, fear has always been used as a tool by our oppressors to control, manipulate, and snuff out progression. A feeble mind is an undisciplined mind, and an undisciplined mind is a reckless mind that clings to unhealthy habits. All these open up the door to fear, which has the potential to:
- Impair the immune system.
- Prevent you from having a restful sleep.
- Trigger mental health disorders, such as PTSD, fatigue, and clinical depression.
- Cause forgetfulness by damaging parts of the brain responsible for forming long-term memories.
What is courage anyway? Quite the opposite of fear; courage is the ability to act, plan, and strategize boldly during times of adversity and uncertainty. A courageous mind is a calm and resolute mind. Regular meditation and prayer feed the courageous mind with the spiritual nutrients required to plan and conquer.
Unlike fear, which is paralyzing, courage can liberate the mind and set the stage to overcome. I know first hand what courage can do – how it can calm the mind, how courage and faith synergize to unleash the miraculous!
Courage can:
- Help you to have a more restful sleep
- Dispel feelings of low-self esteem and build confidence
- Establish healthy neurological connections in the brain
- Lower blood pressure by reducing anxiety
To keep our minds courageous and healthy, we should practice the following habits:
- Focus on positive thoughts
- Practice daily affirmations of faith rooted in the word of God
- Minimize news watching to spend more time with loved ones
As a popular writer once wrote: “Fear is a reaction, but courage is a decision.” Moreover, the Word of God instructs us to be bold. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” Make a decision to be courageous.
Dr. Bill Releford is the founder of The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program. Follow him on Instagram @blackbarbershophealth and @drreleford.