Every time I turn on the news, it seems there’s a new laundry list of problems hitting the world. Now we’ve seen pet cats affected by COVID-19. Living in Iowa, we’re front and center with the issue in the meat packing plants. And that affects the food supply chain, the farmer’s “inventory” and associated prices. Unemployment continues to shatter records every week. Opening up the economy has led to demonstrations and lots of angry people.
Goodness, it’s enough to make us hide under the covers and wait until it all blows over. As if…
What I’m struck by is how so many new issues pop up that are the result of problems that started weeks ago. It’s the same concept as “trickle down economy” except this is hitting every section of our worlds and it’s not a trickle. It’s a tsunami pounding our shores.
And unfortunately, it’s not just one tsunami. It’s a relentless pounding of wave after wave after wave. I’ve often used that analogy with grief when it feels like I get hit again and again with waves of grief. This is remarkably similar. Little rest between the waves. Add to that the uncertainty around when relief may come, and it’s a challenge unlike anything any of us have ever faced.
I had a late birthday lunch with a dear friend this week (on the deck at a socially appropriate distance), and I was sharing this topic with her. She told me of a time when she and her family were in Hawaii and she was in the ocean, not far from shore. In fact, she was able to touch the sand with her hands and knees.
However, the tide was coming in and waves were pounding against her, keeping her from making any progress. At first, it was a bit humorous as she and a family friend kept getting pushed back. But when the family friend made it to shore, my friend was now left to fight this on her own. It became frightening as she continued to make zero progress.
Every time she thought she’d take a step towards shore, another wave would knock her back down. Fortunately, she eventually won this war, but she was exhausted and will forever remember how terrifying her helplessness felt.
That’s not unlike this season of the pandemic in our lives. How do we cope with this relentless bad news? Getting some relief from these tsunamis means you must be INTENTIONAL about how you limit the bad news in your lives and what good things you bring into it. So, in that spirit, here are some suggestions.
- Balance the amount of pandemic news you take in. I get the morning and dinnertime updates. Period. I don’t read FaceBook articles or listen to any extra talk shows. Twice a day is all I can handle. So, give some thought to how much the despair can permeate your life BECAUSE of your exposure to it. Take a breather when it becomes too much for you. Being informed is important, but we can clearly OD on the bad news.
- Get fresh air and exercise. With nicer weather ahead, it’s imperative that you spend time out in the fresh air and sunshine. Walk the dog. Walk your kids. Walk yourself! Mow the yard. Wash windows. Plant flowers. Even sitting out in the sunshine for a bit can do wonders for one’s outlook.
- Stay in touch socially. I know we can’t get together in groups, or get closer than six feet, but there are other ways to stay connected. Of course, it’s not the same as face-to-face. Again, be INTENTIONAL about bringing it into your day. Schedule a Zoom, FaceTime, or HouseParty call, or whatever the latest fad is! It is so good to actually see my friends’ faces when I connect this way. Not quite as uplifting is a phone call, and even further down the list are texts, emails and FaceBook messages. The closer you can get to the real thing, the better!
- Be kind to others. This isn’t just pandemic advice. Any time we step out of our own world, and into that of someone needing some kindness, it’s a WIN-WIN. Maybe it’s stopping outside the window of an elderly relative or friend who is isolated at a care facility. Maybe you and your kids write notes of encouragement to others – teachers, nurses, first responders, anyone working to bring us food and supplies. The list is endless. Get creative. It’s a worthwhile project!
- Remember that God is in charge. I don’t want this to simply be a nice little platitude that has no practical value for you. Again, intentionality plays a role. Don’t question; BELIEVE that the God who created this incredible universe and every living thing in it, is equally in control of what happens to that universe and all of us who inhabit it.
So, when the tsunami waves continue crashing into your life, trust the one who supplies our Living Water.
But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him
will never be thirsty again.
The water that I will give him will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
John 4:14 ESV
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