Cabin Fever

Even though your temperature may be normal, you can still suffer from a fever – Cabin Fever. There have been cases in the past when millions were isolated in their homes by a disaster or a weather event like the last “snowmageddon.ʺ During this time of quarantine, it has been very difficult for some to deal with the side effects. Perhaps many can avoid Covid-19, but few will avoid the mental distresses associated with their lives when shut up and shut down.

Cabin fever is a feeling many people get during a prolonged confinement in their homes or isolation from society involving a secession of one’s normal routine. Just how does one feel when suffering with cabin fever? The symptoms vary but include:

• Feeling there is no hope
• Insomnia or sleeping too much of the time
• Eating too much or experiencing a lack of appetite
• Being lethargic or excitable or restlessness
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Having a lack of forbearance
• Feeling of being powerless
• Dissatisfaction with the tediousness of it all
• Desiring to be with people or increased social distancing
• While some feel overly aggressive others become acutely passive

Just how can a Christian cope with Cabin Fever? Of course there is no passage in the Bible which specifically mentions this malady, but you know they had to deal with such trials since the time when Noah and his family were shut up in the ark. Just what can you do?

One of the remedies for cabin fever is to maintain a healthy diet. This is a good ideal for the Christian. “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:1-2).

Another approach is to keep the mind stimulated by learning something new. So, be like the Bereans who “were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Talking to a friend helps combat Cabin Fever. God is your friend. He would love to hear from you more. Have the kind of relationship that Moses had with God. “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). As the song we sing, “a little talk with Jesus makes it right.”

Some people in isolation complain that they have too much time on their hands. So remember all those times when you were too busy to get around to serving the Lord like you wanted to do? Well, now is the time to stay busy doing those. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

One recommendation to deal with the some of the symptoms listed above are to increase one’s intake of certain vitamins – like D3 However, the best vitamin for a Christian is B1.

The stay in place order will end one day.  So look forward to the time when things are better or just get back to normal.  For the Christian keep looking forward to eternity where in Heaven there will be no such thing as Cabin Fever. And in Heaven you will never be isolated from God again.  John said, “and I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:3-4).

— Daniel R. Vess