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“I’d sure like to go to sleep and just wake up when all this global health crisis is over!”

Has that thought crossed your mind recently? It sure has mine.

I’m weary of reading on social media about it. I’m tired of hearing the topic discussed. And I’m tired of social distancing. I am such a social person! Knowing all these things are important, may I just say, I will be happy when the words “social distancing” are erased from our memories! I am beginning to lose sight of what my goal here on earth is!

God, I have had enough!

I read that anxiety and depression are on the rise right now around the world, due to fear about our health. People have hit their saturation point of bad news. Do you find yourself waking in the morning, wondering what the new numbers are now for those infected? These can be incredibly anxious times we live in. Each day brings another layer of fear to our lives. The news articles on prevention are updated hourly. It just makes us want to lie down and agree with Elijah, “God, we have had enough…” After he said those words, Elijah then lay down to sleep. He was depressed. He just wanted to be removed from life. (1 Kings 19)

So is there ANY good news in all this?

Yes, I believe there is. This is what I discovered: we widows have had a head-start!

Distancing

We have already been “social distancing” because we feel others don’t understand us or we feel like our friends have abandoned us. This is a new feeling for some in the world. But this is old hat for us. Have you found yourself pulling away from community? How did you get drawn back into it? I found a small circle of widows near my age in my town that allowed me to enjoy community again after loss. They understood my pain. Our stories could be told to empathetic ears. If you are still struggling with this issue, I want to encourage you to reach out to widows in your church community first, by phone or by text, and encourage each other for the journey.

Interaction

Another idea is to join the comments on our Facebook page. We post twice a day, in the morning and the evening, where we have many opportunities to encourage other struggling widows or read how they have dealt with something we may be very familiar with.

Sleeping

And that feeling of wanting to sleep until everything blows over? We have certainly been there too. Remember those early days of widowhood when you wanted to just stay in bed until all the “firsts” had been lived? Or when we saw the holidays approaching, and we just wanted to wake up after all the celebrations were over? You made it through those “firsts” and those difficult celebrations somehow. Sleeping through them really wasn’t an option. What helped you survive? You can relate to the feelings many are having right now. And you can assure them that they will, in fact, get through this. You can remind them that things may be different than before, but that isn’t always bad.

God’s Touch

In 1 Kings 19:6, Elijah didn’t just pop up, feeling all the depression leave him. He actually ate and lay back down again. Sometimes our emotions need a bit more to get us going, right? God came back a second time, touching him, and telling Elijah He knew the journey was too much for him. God didn’t say, “Just get over it already, Elijah!” or “Good grief, Elijah. Pull yourself together!” God touched him gently and brought him something to eat and water to drink. God fixed him dinner in bed!

I can just picture God gathering us up in His arms, saying, “Get up and eat…”

I believe God speaks to us like that too. Sister, the journey is too much for us. On our own. But as we “get up and eat”, we are strengthened for the journey. Get up, pray about the day ahead, and read Scripture. God uses His word to feed us for the challenging journey ahead.

Today’s global crisis gives widows an opportunity to share our journeys of how God has already been faithful to us. And He will be faithful to others. Write someone a note to tell them all the things God has brought you through already, and that He is faithful to do it for them. Take a moment and post your story of a faithful God on social media. Pray for eyes to see the ones God puts in your path on the difficult journey. We never want to miss an opportunity. Our focus on eternity can never get lost in all the crises that surround us.

My pastor reminded me that in Elijah’s case, his depression was redirected to mission.

What an impact for the kingdom we can make when we focus on our mission!

Father God, thank You for understanding this journey is too hard on our own. Give us eyes to see our mission for the kingdom as we share the stories of Your faithfulness when we have struggled. The world is hurting right now and living in a constant state of fear. Help us to point to You in our interactions online and in person. You have not given us a spirit of fear but of power ( 2 Timothy 1:7). We want to live in that power today, and share it with a hurting world. Amen