NOT Cancelled … God’s Goodness

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:15-16
                                                                                                                  
What a wild ride it has been for the last few weeks! So much of what is on the news these days feels like something right out of a movie, certainly not real life. This pandemic has not only spread across the world at an alarming rate, but it has also spread across our daily realities and changed so much for so many. Because of the life-threatening potential of this virus, social distancing and canceled gatherings have become necessary precautions. While all of this is necessary, it is also unnerving. It’s like “normal” life slammed on the brakes and we’re all reeling from the whiplash.

In the grand scheme of things, saving lives is number one priority. But I think there are a lot of emotions that we need to process in the midst of all these sudden changes. For me, one of those is a very real feeling of disappointment and right behind that, the worry that if I express my disappointment, how petty does that make me look in the midst of the seriousness of this virus.

Along the way I have found that processing this emotion of disappointment is not only OK…it’s emotionally and spiritually necessary. I am not making light of anyone else’s pain when I process my pain to try to gain a better perspective.

So, first, whatever you maybe be going through today, it is worth taking to the Lord and asking for His help. Secondly, let’s give each other grace since we are all trying to navigate unexpected fears, hardships and disappointment. Social distancing doesn’t mean we distance ourselves from offering each other grace. Let’s process what we are facing!

There are people trying to figure out how to make money to live since their workplace closed. Those who don’t get paid when they don’t work are looking at scary financial realities. Schools are closed. Graduations and family gatherings are canceled. Businesses large and small are experiencing financial realities also. Everything that we thought we would be doing in this season looks vastly different than we expected, and the feelings of loss are real.

So, how do we set our minds and hearts on things above when we are staring at such startling realities? Here are some of the things that are helping me:
Remembering what I do have so I don’t get consumed by what has been taken. Remembering that fun has not been canceled, love has not been canceled, being good to other people has not been canceled, and learning and growing has not been canceled. I am using this time to reframe what matters most.

This may be a delay, a distraction, or even a devastation for a season. But this is not our final destination. Though COVID-19 has canceled many things, it has not canceled God’s goodness. Let us rest in that, rejoice in that, and be so very reassured!
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Blessings & Happy Easter,
Chris

Chris Gray