What is really going on?
What are they not telling us?
When is this going to be over?
Just as my anxiety started to rise, my husband called me. As we spoke he told me about a handful of very bothersome interactions that he had in the matter of 2 hours. As he described every situation, he would say "I don't get it. Why is everyone acting so scared of everything? The masks, the gloves, the terrified looks - it's just too much. Why are they acting like this?"
SIDE NOTE:
PERSONALLY, I believe that what is happening right now is very questionable on so many levels. I won't get into all of my thoughts and feelings, but one thing I know is that we need to be very careful what we open our minds and hearts to at this time.
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows through it" Proverbs 4:23
I took a moment to really think about how to answer his question. I understand that COVID is nothing to mess around with and NO ONE wants to be sick or see anyone else sick. I fully understand that people are losing their lives and the virus isn't completely understood. And the thought of that is unsettling. BUT I think the wide eyed look that your see in most peoples eyes right now isn't fear of the sickness, I think it is a fear of losing control. This "place" we are in doesn't make sense. We are being told what we can do, where we can go, if we can work. We don't know if we can get toilet paper, obtain government assistance or every open our businesses ever again. Even the simple things like haircuts, doctor visits and sitting down for a meal in a restaurant, which we took for granted 2 months ago, is not in our control. And the fear of losing that control and not knowing when we will get it back is terrifying. I responded to him "I think people are acting the way they are is because we don't have any right answers, no promises of when life will be normal and we have little control over anything. And I, like everyone else, have no idea what to do about it."As funny as it may sound, God spoke to my heart through my dog. My new puppy has a love for chewing on everything and just as she was about to grab the remote off of the coffee table, I yelled "GRACE!" (her name is Gracie, but when she is naughty - which is often - I obviously go to GRACE). After I secured the remote from her reach a little light bulb flipped on in my head. I picked up my phone and I searched Google for Bible Verses about grace.
If I could use one word to describe the world in this moment it would be weak. As a whole we feel defeated, powerless and at the point of breaking. Right now, in our weakness, we need His grace. In His grace is where we find peace, strength and rest. It is also through His grace we can find the grace to give to others. Personally I have been finding myself frustrated, angry and so hurt by the actions of people lately - towards me and towards other people. And for me, that is where my fear over COVID comes from. Not the Virus itself, but how it is spreading so much hate and separation between us. And why - we are all in the same boat. We are all in a season of weakness. And through that weakness we can turn to Jesus Christ for strength. We just have to ask.
“Ask
and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks
finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Today open your heart and ask for His strength, His grace and the grace to see through the anger, fear and frustration in others and see it for what it really is - weakness in a time when we need His strength and rest.
Pray this prayer with me: Lord, thank you for this new day. Thank you for another opportunity to experience your wonderful blessings Lord. I come to you today in my weakness. My heart is heavy and I need your strength. We all need your strength Lord. Please lift us up with your Mighty hand and rain down your grace, strength and love upon us all. Heal this world, heal those who are sick, heal the hearts that are hurting and heal those who are suffering. We pray all of this through your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Song to add inspire you today: The Is a Cloud
