April 19th, 2020: Restlessness

 Psychological impact of COVID-19

Some of us might remember the movie "Sleepless in Seattle". It might be a good time to start writing a script for a movie about "Restless in America". After 4 weeks of being shut down, there are signs of serious restlessness in the USA. People have begun to protest, expressed their displeasure about not being able to work, and to go about their "normal life". They would rather take the risk of allowing the virus to be spread out of control than have no ability to feed their family. For some people, it is a matter between life and death regardless of their choice. That is a grim picture of reality.

Restlessness is emotional, physical, and spiritual. We can be so anxious in our restlessness that reasoning becomes a hard commodity. We sometimes can get to a state of despair so we are willing to take unthinkable risks. We can become so unsettled and we might react violently. We lose our sense of balance and well-being. Our view of the world is getting narrower and darker. Hope is eluding us then.

We need to be people of hope, courage, and faith. So, if you are men and women of prayers, please pray more earnestly. If you are able to give and care for others, please do so more lavishly. If we want to fight for life, make sure that our life means something to others.
Finally, we need to be people of compassion. Compassion is not conditional upon our agreement with one another. It is an acknowledgment that God creates the other person as well. It is our willingness to suffer with others. That might be one healthy way to deal with our restlessness. A kind heart is not a restless one. It is a giving one. Remember we have only one enemy in this war against COVID-19 and it is not one another.

"Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:2 (NIV)

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