Help for Staying Encouraged and Hopeful During COVID-19




When I heard about Emergency Room Physician Lorna Breen's recent suicide (Romine; Watkins et al; Lati and Belware), my heart went out more strongly to the doctors who are working so hard during this COVID-19 pandemic. Then my heart went out to nurses and everyone else who is working in the hospitals (remember: janitors work in the hospitals too and they do a VERY important work.) Now my heart has gone out to everyone, because so many people are being affected by this pandemic in SO many ways.

 I have encouraging messages for all of you...yes, I am trying to help all of you. Please feel free to read all of the encouraging messages, or scroll down to the particular category of people that you think you most closely identify with and read the message directed to them.

 1. Medical professionals and all other hospital workers.  I feel for you all.  You all are like soldiers: like a military fighting for freedom from an unseen enemy. I cannot feel everything that any of you feel, as I have never been in your shoes before and furthermore, I have never been any of you before, but I deeply care about you all. You all are working sacrificially for the good of others. Hang in there. You are appreciated.  

 Note to the janitors, receptionists etc. ; You are important! You are doing an important work. Please be encouraged that there are people who appreciate the work that you are doing. 
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a) "Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try to think. You know that Jesus loves you. He understands your weakness. You may do His will by simply resting in His arms." {MH 251.5}
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b) " 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:26-28 (KJV)https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-8-26/
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Many people are praying for you and God Himself is on your side. May God's angels surround you as you work, and may you feel a special sense of His presence, is my prayer.
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2. Bereaved people. For those of you who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, I'm sorry. Death is such a tragic and unnatural thing. God is weeping with you and empathizing with you. Please keep your chins up.

 "In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19 (KJV)https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-94-19/
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"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18 (KJV) https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-14-18/
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 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
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"Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try to think. You know that Jesus loves you. He understands your weakness. You may do His will by simply resting in His arms. "{MH 251.5}
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3. Those who have lost jobs. I'm so sorry. You all are going through a lot. Please keep your chins up and know that you are NOT forsaken by God.
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"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/philippians/4.html
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 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Psalms 118:8 (KJV)https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-118-8/
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 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-3-5/
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"O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. "Psalm 25:20-21 (KJV)https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-25-21/
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"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 

 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 

 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. " Lamentations 3:22-26 (KJV) https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Lamentations-3-25/
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4.  Others who are affected in some way by COVID-19.  You might be watching the news from home and feeling afraid. You might be paranoid everytime you have to go grocery shopping. You might be working in a grocery story or some other store during the pandemic and feeling nervous or afraid. You might be concerned about your loved ones who are working in hospitals, grocery stores or elsewhere during the pandemic. You might be socially isolated and lonely. You might be depressed or you might simply be bored. This section is for you.
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""Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/philippians/4.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19 (KJV)https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-94-19/
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"...Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isaiah 43:1-2 (KJV)https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-43-1/
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"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27 (KJV) https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-14-27/
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5. For those who aren't worried about themselves and/or others during this pandemic. You know, as long as you aren't foolishly confident and unwise, I'm glad that you aren't worried about yourself, but I am sad if you are not thinking much about others. I can tell you that the more you study out ways to encourage others, the more full your joy will be. Really! I know from experience! So, please do not miss out.

 Instead of talking about the ridiculous things other people do and laughing about them (which lends to self-righteousness); instead of watching hours of trivial things on Netflix, think about someone else! Write some cards, donate money to a charity if you can, and if you can't, pray for all of the people who are suffering in so many ways. Call friends and family and check up on them- via phone, Skype, Zoom, FaceTime etc. Make encouraging YouTube videos etc.

 Here is some encouragement for you all. You may not be able to physically go out and do the things that this chapter talks about, but I beg you; prayerfully think of creative ways to help other people be better. There are no lack of people who could use your encouragement.

 Isaiah 58 https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-58/
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Take care everyone. :)
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Credits and Disclaimer: 

 Articles I cited on Dr. Lorna Breen's passing.

Romine, Taylor. "An ER doctor who continued to treat patients after she recovered from Covid-19  has died by suicide". CNN.  28 April 2020. www.cnn.com/2020/04/28/us/er-doctor-coronavirus-help-death-by-suicide-trnd/index.html

Watkins, Ali et al. "Top E.R. Doctor Who Treated Virus Patients Dies by Suicide". New York Times. 27 April 2020. www.nytimes.com/2020/04/27/nyregion/new-york-city-doctor-suicide-coronavirus.html

Lati, Marissa and Bellware, Kim. "NYC emergency doctor dies by suicide, underscoring a secondary danger of the pandemic".  The Washington Post. 28 April 2020. www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/04/28/nyc-doctor-lorna-breen-coronavirus/
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Picture credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hands-heart-love-305530/
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"Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try to think. You know that Jesus loves you. He understands your weakness. You may do His will by simply resting in His arms." {MH 251.5} https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_MH.251.5&para=135.1252
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One scripture verse taken from NKJV.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/sales-and-rights/permissions/#1
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*I am neither a trained nor a licensed mental health professional. I am simply sharing thoughtful words, and encouraging scriptures with the intent to encourage those who need the encouragement.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741. (Copied and pasted from https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/04/28/nyc-doctor-lorna-breen-coronavirus/)

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