Faith Matters | The stress of COVID-19 pandemic reminds us we are not in control
If only … we could figure out how to deal with all this.
We’ve learned the virus can’t live on surfaces. Then we learned it can. We learned masks didn’t provide protection. Then we learned they do. When we learned the virus was carried on packaging, we wiped all our groceries down. Then we learned that wasn’t necessary. We were told only those who were elderly were affected by the virus. Then we learned it could be anyone of any age. We were told if you test positive for the antibody, you can’t get the virus again. Then they said you can get it again. Now you’re safe for about three months.
All this uncertainty makes us feel powerless. We’ve learned over the last six months we don’t have as much control as we once thought. Our worst fears being realized, we are left wringing our hands in anxious fits of stress. In the still moments of a quiet drive or as we lay our head down at night, worry, fear and frustration roll over us like a wave.
I doubt God wants us to live this way. In fact, in the beginning, it wasn’t like this.
Genesis 3 tells us that every evening God would take a walk with Adam and Eve. I imagine in those walks God would answer their questions, put to rest their concerns, and help them feel comfortable in the garden. As the sun set, He would point to specific stars and tell the story of how He made each one. He would remind them they are unique when compared to the rest of creation. He would tell Eve she was beautiful and Adam he was strong. He would remind them of His love. This would happen every day. Every. Single. Day.
Every day they would walk in the Presence of the Almighty. Every day they would hear His voice. Every day they would feel the calm security of being with the One who was in control.
Then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone.
They decided they knew better than God. They decided they didn’t trust God. They decided they wanted to be in control. In so doing they lost the daily walks and the calm security of being in His Presence. They were now left to figure out life on their own.
This sounds all too familiar. The anxiety, worry, and stress of this season has reminded you you’re not in control. These feelings of powerlessness have created a void in you nothing seems to be able to fill. You desire to spend time with someone who is bigger and more powerful than all the problems. You want someone who has the power to reassure you it’s all going to be OK. Yet, for all of our attempts, we come up short and we’re left walking through another day anxious, worried, and exhausted.
If only… we could figure out how to deal with all this.
“Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” — Jesus
Faith Matters is written by members of the Bradenton area clerical community. J. Phillip Hamm is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Palmetto. Reach the church at 941-722-7795 or visit fbcpalmetto.com.