Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are trusting that each of you as our readers are doing well and continuing to trust the Lord. The pandemic has created a bit of a backlog for us, along with some personal issues we have been working through, so this issue is coming to you somewhat behind schedule. Our apologies…. We plan to get the next issue printed within the next several months to get back on track.
In the last issue’s editorial, I wrote about an obscure news article which revealed that many folks across the world were surprised by the positive outcomes they were experiencing through the need to stay at home during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. They were enjoying family time. They were finding camaraderie in facing this challenge together. They were finding excitement in the adventure of discovering new ways to function and survive. And they were finding renewed vision and purpose in life.
However, as time has passed, this seems to have been short-lived by all who did not have a deeper level of stability in their lives. After a varying amount of time has elapsed for many folks, reality has begun to set in. Some have lost their jobs. Some have lost loved ones. Some have gone through a time of sickness. Many have been starved for fellowship with other human beings. For the elderly living in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, and those requiring hospitalization, life has become a very lonely existence indeed, since most of these places have not allowed visitors to enter their doors.
The world is trying to find any way possible to cope and survive. There are phone conference lines. There are chat lines. There are webinars geared towards the issue. Many are doing their part to fill the gaps that this pandemic has created in the lives of the people around them.
As we step back to gain a clearer perspective of the unfolding events brought about by the pandemic, the last number of months have been a time of change and uncertainty for most. There’s the economic future, “Is my job secure?” “What about my bills?” “What about my housing?” Then there’s the greatly politicized nature of numerous issues—race inequality, conspiracy theories about the pandemic, and the government mandates regarding our response to the virus pandemic. Add to this the polarization in our country regarding politics—who is telling the truth on issues, and who will be the best option to lead the country after the upcoming election.
Despite everything else that is going on, the virus and its effects seem to be on everyone’s mind. On August 15, 2020 there was an article published by CNN, written by Ryan Prior, titled: “1 IN 4 YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REPORTING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS”. For those wanting to read the article, it can be found here:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/14/health/young-people-suicidal-ideation-wellness/index.html
This article recognizes that there were positive effects during the onset of the pandemic and the resulting stay-at-home orders. This article goes on to say that as time has passed this event is different than most past events, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and even the circumstances of 9/11. Most of these events have been localized and brief in their destructive effects, while the Covid-19 pandemic has dragged on for so long that it is becoming a way of life—with no end in sight, and its beginning is fading into our forgetful past.
According to the news article, the CDC has published data from a survey which was conducted to determine the outcome of the negative effects of the pandemic. Following are some facts as presented in the article:
- Suicidal ideation is up among young people since last year
- As many as one in four people ages 18 through 24 having seriously considered suicide in the 30 days preceding the survey (researchers surveyed 5,412 adults in the US between June 24 and 30.)
- In the general US population … 11% of adults surveyed had seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days before they completed the survey.
- The number of Americans reporting anxiety symptoms is three times the number at this same time last year, the CDC said.
- The results reflect a nation increasingly on edge.
How sad it is to ponder this reality. As I read this news article, I had to wonder whether the percentages are the same for the church as they are for the world. A verse of scripture came to mind: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable –1 Corinthians 15:19. As Christians…
- …we have HOPE!
- …we have HOPE IN CHRIST!!
- …we have HOPE both IN THIS LIFE and FOR ETERNITY!!!
Considering all this we should have a smile on our faces, hope in our hearts, and an encouraging word on our lips for all with whom we come in contact. Let’s be especially observant as we interact with the people around us—family, friend, and even the stranger. Who knows, maybe the neighbor next door is feeling all alone and discouraged. Or perhaps our best friend from church has been struggling with a burden that seems more than they can bear. As we pray, we can ask God to bring people to our minds that would be blessed by our assistance of one sort or another. We never know when our smile or encouraging word will help make a change in someone’s eternal welfare.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden –Galatians 6:1-5.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able… –1 Corinthians 10:13.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience –James 1:2-3.
In these verses, I see a number of things that God wants us to use to live by.
- God will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able to endure. This is according to His fact, not according to our feeling.
- Each of us WILL fall into temptations, but as we see God’s sovereignty involved in our trials, we can rest as we “count it all joy”.
- When it seems that our faith is being tried and tested, sometimes seemingly almost to the breaking point, we can rest assured that God is in the middle of it and that He is up to something according to His will.
- God will allow burdens into each of our lives and He expects each of us to “bear our own burdens”.
- God will allow our fellow man to go through times of difficulty, during which God expects us to see our struggling brother or sister and do whatever we can to help ease the burden—through prayer, words of encouragement, or deeds of assistance.
In closing, I will leave you with several verses that Paul wrote to the church of Galatia. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. –Galatians 6:9-10. As strangers and pilgrims here on this earth, let’s not lose sight of our Eternal Home, our Sympathetic Savior, our Sovereign God, and our Abba Father.
