The world is going through some threatening times brought on by the coronavirus. Dr. Pat Robertson, founder and chancellor of Regent University, calls the virus a “bug.” From the beginning of time, humans have socialized with each other freely. Now, we find ourselves in a new-normal of social distancing. We’re expected to stay behind closed doors isolated from the rest of the world for an indefinite period of time. It isn’t normal for humans not to socialize with each other.
So, how are you coping? Many people feel anxious and stressed. We are worried about our future and the future of our family. One woman who had lost a loved one said, “I had no idea grieving involved so many firsts. My first night alone, the first time I attended church alone, my first anniversary alone. And when I didn’t think things could get worse, I find myself bracing for the holidays alone. I would give anything to boycott them.” I can sympathize with her and suspect that lots of people are experiencing similar feelings about being alone in the days ahead.
A question many have is, “Why Lord?” It is a question often asked when we are overwhelmed with grief or despair. Remember, he was the one that gave you the ability to grieve over loss, broken relations and loneliness. The Lord who gave humans the ability to love understands sorrow and loss; that’s why he gave us tears. So, for a while we find it difficult to accept our circumstances. But acceptance doesn’t mean giving in to our despair, because there will come a time when this virus will pass. We will talk about our experiences with one another and rejoice that we made it through the difficult days of being isolated.
In your isolation from others and not being able to live a normal life, you can do the following:
- Draw on God’s strength. Ask God to give you strength to not be consumed by loneliness and isolation.
- Have a reasonable expectation about when this new-normal will vanish.
- Recognize that there are no right or wrong ways to handle communicating with others, especially on important dates, such as anniversaries, birthdays and holidays.
- Call on others to help because going it alone usually means going nowhere. Reach out to friends and loved one in this new-norm.
I leave this belief with you. God will hear your prayers and you will begin to feel relief and experience less anxiety during the lonely days and nights ahead while social distancing.
So, Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
