By Nancy Virden (c)2020

When one refuses to fear illness or death, precautions against the coronavirus, meant to protect oneself, are instead taken for the sake of others. Yes, the absence of paralyzing fear, aka trust in the Highest Power, keeps us available to step out and help.

The second line of the famous Serenity Prayer, reads, “[God grant me]…the courage to change what I can”.

The ferocious and negative, “what-if” looms over our heads if we choose to entertain it. An attitude of radical acceptance toward what we cannot control relieves much of our anxiety. Dealing with life on life’s terms is an act of acceptance. The process of even this change requires courage.

Yet practicing courage (notice I did not say foolishness) also means changing what we can for others. I work from home, am used to being at home by myself, and would rather continue to do so during this crisis. 

However, there are people who will starve to death, go without medications, or feel like no one cares about them if I do not step out of my comfort zone.  Meals on Wheels needs fill-in helpers for absent older volunteers and most charities need financial help.  I volunteered near my home – and they may still need me – but I just found out that for now, the police decided to do the meals on wheels deliveries. Still, my plan is also to go to my neighbor’s houses (about a dozen homes) to ask if I can fetch anything for them or get their garbage cans to the street, etc., whatever is safe. If they are lonely, I’ll call them regularly. 

What else am I to do? This Always the Fight ministry exists to reach people who are thinking about suicide.  “Love your neighbor” takes courage. I want to do what I can to alleviate isolation. 

What can you do?

Today’s Helpful Word  

James 2: 14-17

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,  and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

*** COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME

NOTE: I am not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speak only from personal experiences and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

*Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright (c) 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.., Carlo Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.