“Growing Beyond Fear of COVID-19” by Philip Kakungulu

1. The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed fear more contagious than the virus itself, weakening communities and immune systems alike. In Africa, where communal resilience is a spiritual cornerstone, fear-driven hoarding and isolation betray our calling to Shalom (Mbiti, 1990). Ken Seidu’s Zones tool, inspired by experiential education, maps a path from fear to growth, urging us to focus on gratitude and connection (Seidu, 2018).

   Fear triggers the amygdala, producing cortisol that undermines immunity, as Mylinda Baits notes (Baits, 2020). African Christians must counter this by practicing gratitude, as Jesus modeled in sharing bread with the multitudes (Luke 9:16-17). Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone’s research shows our brains blur imagination and reality, meaning courage is a choice we can cultivate (Pascual-Leone, 2010). By imagining boldness, we embody the Shalom vision, serving the vulnerable as Desmond Tutu did (Tutu, 1999).

   Call to Action: Turn off fear-inducing news and turn on personal connections. Join African Peace Warriors to share gratitude and build resilient communities.

Baits, M. (2020). First Aid Arts for the Heart. [Unpublished training material].

Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Luke 9:16-17.

Mbiti, J. S. (1990). African Religions and Philosophy. Heinemann.

Pascual-Leone, A. (2010). The Plastic Human Brain Cortex. Annual Review of Neuroscience.