The Faith Hour with Harriet Cammock

Dr. Monica Williams, an associate professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa who focuses on the impact of racial trauma on people of color, has developed the TSDS or Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale-, a tool for measuring anxiety-related trauma symptoms due to racial discrimination. True enough, people of color, Black women in particular, suffer from traumatization due to ongoing mistreatment in the workplace., including feeling isolated, embarassed and powerless. Fearful that something bad might happen as a result of past discrimination, Black women in the workplace carry past experiences based on racial discrimination to their new jobs- even when their new jobs don’t show any signs of discriminatory behavior.

These are trying times. The news of the day leave us feeling dispirited and uncertain. But the Lord promises in His Word, that if we look to Him, He will sustain us, despite plagues, disease, economic turndowns, we have to accept that God is in control, despite who seems to be holding the wheel. We take comfort from the Scriptures, that tell us in Psalm 100, that His truth endures to all generations. Times past, and time to come, know that God is in control.

August 2020. Who would have thought that America, would be handling an out-of-control virus, despite having the resources to curb it, and a president and political leadership, seemingly oblivious to the people’s cries. In the midst of a pandemic, that landed on our shores, we find large segments of the American population, jobless and homeless. Thirty four million people set to be evicted as of August1st, 2020. Here enters God, telling us that it is only for a short while and it will bring about a mighty deliverance, just for a while, weeping may endure but know that there will come a turnaround. Lift up your head, O ye Gates! Lift up and look up, God is coming to the aid of the people

What will people do? Millions of Americans who lost jobs due to the pandemic, now face housing uncertainty as unemployment benefits approved by Congress is about to run out. Some conservative activists think unemployed Americans should not receive benefits at all. Others including elected representatives believe that the $600 weekly benefit included in the Cares Act should be reduced to $200. What will people do as they face housing uncertainty due to joblessness which caused unpaid mortgages, un-paid rent and unpaid utilities.

We live in times that demand answers from our leaders. Where there is a deficiency of leadership, we turn to the ultimate One, God. He points us to the Scriptures in Proverbs :3- It exhorts that in times of difficulty, Trust in Him.

Insurance Companies are quietly influencing change in police departments around the country. It’s the way in which police who are authorized by cities, to operate. Police Departments must carry liability insurance, so how does the insurance company influence change? Large payouts from lawsuits result in a loss for the insurer, therefore they send consultants who advise police departments, on how to mitigate violent encounters between themselves and the communities they serve. In the era of Black Lives Matter and calls for police reform, this is mind-blowing.

Our nation is caught up in a vortex of politics, pandemics and protests. It seems everything is out of control, a nation on the tipping edge of a cultural revolution. Where is the direction coming from? The Bible tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “Trust in the Lord” .

Women exposed to air pollution and high temperatures are more likely to have premature, and low birthweight babies. Pregnant women exposed to high temperatures or air pollution are more likely to have children who are premature, underweight or stillborn and African-American mothers and babies are harmed at a much higher rate than the population at large, according to sweeping new research examining more than 32 million births in the United States. The research adds to a growing body of evidence that minorities bear a disproportionate share of the danger from pollution and global warming.

With unemployment at historic highs and more than 20 million individuals out of work, the country’s housing crisis is only getting worse. In April 2020, 1 in 3 Americans did not pay rent, and, despite moratoriums to protect against evictions, renters are still being evicted. Groundbreaking data suggests that individuals face increased housing hardship such as evictions, delayed rent or mortgage payments, and unexpected utility payments and home repairs during the pandemic. Particularly at high- risk for evictions are Hispanic/Latinx populations, and as always, African-American populations as well. What are our elected leaders doing to curb this crisis?

Isaiah 43:2 This is an incredible promise for us. No matter what we go through, God Himself says He will be there with us. Even though we will experience hardship, it is important to note that God promises to go through these times with us.