Our world has changed.
It has already happened.
We, in our current state, are already different than we were before the word pandemic touched our lives. Like water freezing to become ice, there is a state in which it is no longer water, but it’s not a solid state of ice yet. It’s the in-between. The slush. And that is exactly the state of where many emotions are, in these moments. In a state of slush.
Not solid. Not liquid.
Not all positive. But not all negative.
Not completely hopeful. But not total despair.
My prayer in fighting this battle is very specific. I pray for supernatural peace to wrap the hearts of people to withstand the fear that so naturally arises within us. I pray for protection over bodies, a covering to guard individuals from this looming threat surrounding us. And I pray for the presence of God to wrap each person in these moments of quarantine and isolation providing supernatural experiences never before known.
That must mean since I pray for peace, I have no fear.
Or since I’m praying for protection, I feel no threat.
Or since I pray for God’s presence, I have no issues with isolation.
Not in the least. I’m praying out of an awareness of the need. I’m praying out of a place of realizing the risk. I’m praying out of a confrontation with my own thoughts and emotions.
I’ve heard and read some well-meaning comments, which I believe are meant to be comforting and motivating. Challenging us to have no fear. Reminding us where our eternity lies. Quantifying risk and referencing recovery rates. All of which we need to remember to keep our emotions grounded and our thoughts focused.
However, there is no disputing nighttime. It’s dark at midnight. Giving reminders that the sun will come up in a few short hours, while true, does not take away from the present darkness of the hour. These hours that we are in, these days, these weeks, are truly dark.
The suffering is insurmountable.
An economy crashed.
Astronomical unemployment.
Churches closed.
Graduations cancelled.
Weddings postponed.
Mothers delivering babies without the support and celebration of family and friends.
Senior citizens encountering loneliness far greater than what they already endured.
Grocery workers, postal workers, fire fighters, police officers, and healthcare workers stepping out the door to serve, praying they don’t unknowingly bring sickness back to their homes.
People battling illness-- alone.
Patients dying without the presence of a loved one at their bedside.
These days are truly dark. And no one is exempt. Everyone, in some way, is affected by the effects of this pandemic.
Have you found yourself in tears? Have you cried for the loss of people you don’t even know? Are you hurting for the hurting? Please know that a very appropriate emotion in the face of such suffering is grief. While the sun will come out again, it is dark at the moment, it is hard and heavy, and it is okay to grieve.
Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]. Romans 12:15 AMP
Please give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling. Those are the genuine places of your being. Those authentic elements are how you were created and how God will connect to you. Take every realistic concern, and even the sometimes, unreasonable emotions to the safe, peaceful place of your Creator’s hands. The fact is, this battle is fierce, but God is developing mighty warriors in the midst of it, increasing our trust in Him and insight into how He equips us for every fight that is beyond our human ability.
Remember, we can’t handle this darkness, but He can. And He has.
The sky grew dark that Good Friday His Son hung on a cross.
It appeared death had victory. But on the third day, Jesus proved otherwise.
The sun will shine again. Hope is not lost. We’re walking through the slush of the in between. This grief we feel, is an indication of compassion, and a vessel of comfort we all give to one another through it.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. II Corinthians 1:3 -5 NLT
