It’s so easy to be steamrolled by emotions of uncertainty, anxiety, anger and frustration. No one on this planet has escaped the concerns of today. There are no quick fixes for the chaos we are feeling. But friends, we serve a faithful God who is walking with us in all of this!

Here are 5 simple ways to thrive during this time to gain the perspective that God desperately wants to give you:

1. Memorize and meditate on one verse a week. It won’t take you as long as you think. Start with some verses that identify your fears and lead you to the truth of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Verses like:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.(2 Timothy 1:7)

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6)

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)

2. Walk and pray. You might be having a hard time praying these days. Try taking a walk in your neighborhood or on your favorite trail and pour out your heart to God.

Leave your phone at home or in the car or silence the beeps and rings.

Start your time with God by saying, “I don’t know what to say right now”, then start talking to Him. Share your frustration and uncertainty. Confess sins, behaviors and attitudes and ask Him to intervene on your behalf. Visualize His presence with you as you walk and talk to Him.

3. Turn off the news for 48 hours. Choose alternative ways to distract and see how it impacts your heart when you aren’t bombarded by all the headlines and discouragement of today.

4. Call a friend who loves you and will listen to you. All of us have relationships that add to the chaos of our hearts, but we also have friends that seem to lighten the load. Call a friend who has the emotional/spiritual capacity to speak God’s love and perspective into your heart.

5. Show love to someone the Holy Spirit directs you to. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to someone to encourage. It might be a call, a note, a text, or an impromptu porch visit, but trust God in that moment and see what He does.