Overcoming FUD

What went through your mind when you heard another COVID-19 variant is on the loose?

With the announcement last week of the Omicron variant making its way around the globe, governments, health agencies, the stock market, and the public all responded quickly. In the effort to slow the spread, governments tightened border controls and health agencies reiterated and mandated the importance of masks and vaccines. Further, soon after the variant was announced, stock markets experienced a sharp downturn and people went back to hoarding toilet paper and meat.

However, these last two responses (by the stock market and the public) were not caused by the Omicron variant (at least directly). They were caused by FUD.

FUD is a common acronym for "fear, uncertainty, and doubt." Whenever FUD is on the rise, people's mental wellness usually drops. The future becomes even more unknown, we lose a sense of control over our own destiny, and that causes us anxiety which may also cause us to tightly grasp the little things we can control (like how much toilet paper is in our house).

Lots of things have the potential to cause FUD in our lives - a pandemic, a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a job, a divorce, or some other life transition. Yet even though we have very little control over the external circumstances we face, for the follower of Jesus, these circumstances do not have to result in FUD.

Why? Because at all times and in all circumstances, we have a loving God who promises presence.

Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

~ Isaiah 41:10

This doesn't mean that we won't experience hardship (like a pandemic, medical diagnosis, or job loss), but it does mean that when we do experience hardship, we don't have to go through it alone. Instead, God promises the protection and provision we need to overcome FUD.

When a loving God says to us, "Hey, I'm here and you're always on my mind," those words deflate FUD and help us to breathe a sigh of relief. We don't have to tightly grasp and try to control our unknown future, because we are under God's care.

PAUSE and REFLECT: What is causing you FUD right now? Take a moment to ask the Spirit to lovingly point out the things that are making you anxious and causing you to grasp for a little more control of your future.

Make a fist and imagine holding these FUD-causing circumstances in your hands as heavy rocks. Hold on to them and take note of the feelings and emotions that rise up as you hold them - maybe your stomach tightens or churns and your breathing becomes a bit more shallow.

Turn your fists over so they are palms down and imagine God's open hands, palms up, underneath yours. Now take a deep breath, and as you slowly exhale, open your hands and allow those rocks to drop into God's hands. He thanks you for trusting him with these circumstances and promises he'll take care of them for you.

Now turn your palms up and imagine God's open hands on top of yours, palms down. Just as you gave him your FUD-causing circumstances, he now wants to replace those rocky emotions with his peace and love. So imagine God's peace and love flowing from his hands into yours and filling your spirit. Stay like this for as long as you need.

Continue to turn your hands palms down and palms until you feel you're done, then thank God for his strong presence, smile at the lightness you feel, and carry on with your day.