My darling daughter,
The ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic may seem quite scary as we are all faced with unending and contradictory news from local and global media. The situation is making us feel helpless; not knowing exactly which way is up. Life as we previously knew it has been disrupted and the buzzword now is of the “new normal” whatever that may mean.
My dear daughter, I write to you because we are living through strange times, one which none of us have witnessed before.
The challenges of this period are enormous. Can you imagine or understand how this virus may have impacted some families, they are now dealing with emotions which may forever hunt them of being unable to visit dying relatives, or to give them a proper burial?
My dear please be aware that you have to focus on your mental health so that you do not lose your balance.
- Try not to dwell on how life used to be before the virus.
- Live in the now. This is a time to take the advice of Jesus who said to his disciples “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” -Matthew 6:34. Each day definitely brings its own troubles and worries.
- Please be focused on eating properly and boosting your immunity so that you can be able fight off the virus if you get infected.
One of the lessons of this period of pandemic is that all those things we are “busy about” that makes us say we have “no time” for friends and family is just being busy about nothing. It is interesting that we can stay indoors for three months despite our so-called “busy schedules” and frenetic lifestyles.
Use this period to come up with your own definition of what should be the important things in your life so that going forward you live a meaningful and purposeful life.
Have recourse to prayer for your spiritual life. Believe me, my daughter, I have lived long enough to know that there is power in prayer. James 5:16 notes that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Prayer changes everything. God is still in charge.
Do not be overwhelmed by the current situation. As with all things, “this too shall pass away”.
Stay safe.
Love you always.
Dad.