Dear Parents, As part of our chapel this morning, we had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Alvin Loh. As a pediatric doctor, professor, Trinity parent, and most importantly a follower of Jesus, he has been a blessing to our community and offered a number of valuable insights this year in light of COVID-19. This morning the theme was specifically about anxiety.

Dr. Loh spoke to our students about some practical ways that our students can think through this issue. He highlighted the difference between stress, (outward and affected by our environment) vs anxiety (inward and affects the mind and body). He also helped our students understand that everyone deals with stress and can be anxious at times; however, anxiety is something that can last longer and that we have to work hard at sometimes.

He reminded us that the antidote to anxiety starts with prayer and God’s word. It involves praying to God, asking Him for help and putting our trust in Him. We need to remember God’s truth through the storms of life, which will come as they did to so many heroes of the faith that we read about in the Bible. From a scientific standpoint, Dr. Loh applies Cognitive Behaviour Therapy through the lens of scripture. It is about, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus instead of what you fear. Changing our thoughts will positively affect our feelings and behaviours.”

Here are a few key truths that Dr. Loh shared that we can memorize and that will help us with our anxieties: 
– Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ Jesus. Rom 8:39
– Know God’s promises 

• Jesus is our Shepherd; He loves us so much and died for us. Rom 5:8
• He comforts us as our shepherd. Psalm 23:4
• Faith: Believing the truths about God in the middle of every situation.
• He is all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, and in control of every situation.
• He conquered death, which is our biggest fear as humans. 2 Tim 1:10
  – Remembering that God is strong and helps us in our weaknesses. Romans 8:26
  – Praying for ourselves and connecting with others who you trust that knows Jesus (sharing our worries).
  – Paul went through so much stress: shipwrecked, stoned, yelled at, threatened, and hungry; yet he concluded in Philippians 4:6-7, “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.” 
  
  Personally, this last verse has been a comfort to me and helped me to find peace in difficult situations. I encourage you to follow up with your children about what we spoke about this morning. A big Thank You to Dr. Loh for joining us and sharing these words of encouragement and to Mr. Jarvis for facilitating this interview.

Click here for a PowerPoint presentation from Dr. Loh’s talk today on Stress and Anxiety.

Sincerely,
J-D Lussier, Principal