A couple of weeks ago, I drove by an empty parking lot at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, VA, during normal business hours. Curiosity led me inside the facility and all but four stores were closed. What an eerie feeling. I saw about five or six people in the mall. As I walked around, I felt a foreboding sensation similar to when I deployed to the Horn of Africa back in 1993.
It was a cold night in April 1993 when elements of my unit, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, boarded buses and departed Ft. Drum, NY for Somalia on what was advertised as a peacekeeping mission. In less than 48 hours, we arrived in hot and humid Mogadishu, Somalia. After months in the frigid North Country of NY, (it snowed the day after we left), we had to adapt to a drastic change in weather conditions. This was the first of many adaptions.
I will never forget that drive from Mogadishu International Airport to our headquarters at the United Nations (UN) compound. It seemed like you could reach out and touch the hundreds of Somalis going about their normal business as we drove by. My friend, the unit logistician, was fascinated by the sights and scenery of a foreign country. Not me. I felt tension in the atmosphere.
As the weeks went by, insurgents began firing mortar rounds into our compound at night. I remember a round exploding while we were watching a movie in our makeshift tent theater. We did not stop watching movies. We adapted. We moved the theater indoors.
Matters grew worse. On 5 June, 24 Pakistani soldiers from our compound were killed during a site inspection in Mogadishu. Despair, dread and dismay were in the atmosphere, but there was no time for that. We adapted. We moved from a peacekeeping footing to a warfighting posture.
Things got very intense over the next couple of months, but in August 1993, all 1st Brigade personnel –over 500 of us- returned to Ft Drum with no loss of life or major injuries. Our emotional stability was tested often, but we never caved in. We always adapted.
Increasingly dire forecasts associated with the coronavirus pandemic caused me to reflect on my experiences in Somalia. We left Ft. Drum thinking we were supporting a peacekeeping mission, but in a matter of weeks we were in a shooting war. At the outset, COVID-19 was perceived to be under control in America, but things got out of hand in a matter of days. Indeed, President Trump declared that we are at “war” with an “invisible” enemy.
We are facing a crisis on three fronts. We have a health crisis; a financial crisis and an emotional crisis. Multiple initiatives like social distancing are being taken to adapt to the health crisis. Our government is providing $2 trillion in relief funds in response to the economic fallout, but addressing the emotional crisis is another matter entirely.
Prescribing measures to combat emotional issues like despair, dread and dismay is difficult. The emotional arena is complex and very personal. Physical exercise may help some, and engaging with friends may help others, but there is a more effective and underutilized resource available.
I submit to you that this underutilized resource may be gathering dust in your home or just a click away on your computer. The Bible -God’s word- has powerful promises that if received and believed, will enable you to wrestle despair, dread and dismay into submission. God’s word is powerful. God’s word is enduring. God said that heaven and earth will pass away, but “My word will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
Adapt to the changing environment now! COVID-19 forecasts are not encouraging. Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), warns us that the next two weeks could be the worst. Surgeon general, Jerome Adams said, “This is going to be the hardest and saddest week of most Americans’ lives.” The White House is projecting that 100,000 to 240,000 Americans could die from COVID-19.
God has promise after promise in His Word that will enable you to successfully combat and prevail over the emotional toll and turmoil of this pandemic. Things may get worse before they get better, but God will keep you in perfect peace if you focus on His word. (Isaiah 26:3) Place your confidence in Him and His promises. The means are at your disposal to prevail over despair, dread, and dismay.
Below are just a handful of the powerful promises in the Bible. If you are new to Bible reading or have not read the Bible in some time, I recommend you begin by reading the Psalms in the Old Testament and/or begin reading in the book of John in the New Testament. If you would like additional information on reading the Bible please contact me at dreamprayernet@gmail.com. God Bless! Press On!!
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isa 26:3
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:7-8
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-11
