Today I will take a break from looking at Acts 2, because instead of hearing from me, I’d like to hear from you all, and I’d like you all to share your wisdom with each other. Either comment on this post or on Facebook, by email to [email protected] or by text to me at 843.271.3024.

Recently an article was passed around that I thought was very helpful that was titled “17 Totally Normal Things to Feel Right Now According to Therapists.” One of the main things it talked about was that just naming the feelings we’ve been having is helpful. I for one, have never felt anxiety before, but was in a grocery about 10 days ago and felt a tightening in my chest. I realized that it was a physical response to feelings of anxiety. I went home and talked about it with Shauw Chin, but I realize that for many, they don’t have a physical presence to talk to. And virtual representations in the form of zoom, facetime, and others just isn’t the same.

We are social beings and we were created by God for others. And we are in the fifth week of not being able to see each in real life and hug each and shake each other’s hands, really talk to each other and really be together. It is not what God designed for us. You may have seen the posts on social media about being in the same storm but not the same boat. That’s true, we all have our own realities. But as people of faith, we believe that Jesus is in our boat. He’s in my boat and he’s in your boat. In that sense, we are all in this storm together, and we all share in faith together.

So whatever way you are struggling, be sure to name it. And if you’d like, name it to your church so that we can nod our heads and say, “yep, I’m dealing with that too - your prayer is my prayer too.”

And beyond naming our struggles, which I believe helps a lot, I’d like to hear about other strategies that have helped you get through these weeks. If you are living alone and tend to be outgoing, what has helped you from feeling lonely? If you are in a house full of people and need alone time, what has kept you from feeling resentful? If you’re going a little stir crazy with kids, what has worked to keep you from actions you would regret? If you have never before felt anxious but have had those feelings of late, what has helped ease that anxiety? If you’re out of work because of this crisis, what has helped you not only survive but thrive? If you are an ‘essential worker’ how have you avoided feelings of anxiety in being around people all the time? If you are eldery and have been sheltering in place and have not left or have barely left your home, what has helped you from feelings of isolation? If you’re actually doing ok and feel a little bad about your relative comfort, how have you dealt with those feelings? If you’re grieving the loss of someone, maybe even someone who died of COVID-19, what has helped you process and mourn? 

What other feelings have you had and what strategies have you used to help? Maybe what you share will help others dealing with the feelings, but struggling with the strategies.

What has helped me is maintaining a routine as best as I can. I try to get up at the same time each morning and go to bed no later or earlier than before. I also try to keep my exercise routine and at least take long walks in the evenings. I also realize that for me, I need to laugh sometimes not to cry. And so I seek out positive humor where I can and have appreciated a lot of the funny things my friends have posted to Facebook - I’ve been doing a little of that myself. These daily posts have also helped me I’m sure a lot more than they’ve helped you. It has kept me intentionally thinking and praying for you each by name. And I hope you’ll reach back if you need to talk. I also hope you’ll comment, call, text or email words that could help our faith family during this time.

—Paul

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), Golden Rule, 1961. Oil on canvas, 44 1/2” x 39 1/2”. Story illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, April 1, 1961.