Dear Family and Friends,

I recently met someone I hadn’t seen in 50 years. It was funny as we did the ‘where did you go to high school’ thing. Before you know it, we pointed toward each other and said, ‘oh, I remember you.’

That nice, shy guy with a baby face was still nice, but was now fuller, grayer and quite a bit more talkative. 

Aren’t we all.

Would you agree that we are constantly changing? And it happens whether we intend to or not, and admit it or not.

For example, I wonder how many of us would say we entered the church as one person and came out a totally different one. The Holy Spirit changed us from within.

And then there’s satan.

I wonder how many of us would admit that after two years of little to no church and limited social and community interactions, we have changed.

As a few of you know, I haven’t really retired. I’m still ministering, just doing so outdoors.

And as I do so, I’m unfortunately seeing relationships straining under the weight of prolonged stress.

Before I go any further, let me remind us that Jesus said, “people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” ‭‭John‬ ‭13:35‬ ESV

Ouch. Today’s message is about loving one another through stormy times.

We are living through a very dark season. Satan is throwing all that he has at us. His goal is to implode the church body.

How is he doing this? By testing the strength and authenticity of the ‘love’ we once shared. By prodding us to turn against each other. 

And he is succeeding.

Are we to sit still and let him have his way?

I say no. Will you join me?

Although I prefer to just write from the Bible, today’s topic requires a bit of context.

We begin with a few observations from a paper about the psychological effects of social isolation during the pandemic.

The paper starts with a very scary proposition – the mental health effects from the prolonged social isolation – the lack of interactions with others – caused by covid are yet to peak and will likely extend well beyond the pandemic.

The paper notes that the most common psychological disorders emerging are anxiety and panic, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, insomnia, digestive problems, as well as depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress.

I’ll add that while not a disorder, feelings of anger and irritation are also rising for many.  

The paper goes on to say we behave and even believe “as if” other people are potentially dangerous to our health and the health of our loved ones.

We avoid social relations, no longer because we have to, but because we choose to.

Many are confused, uncertain about what is right to do or not do, what to say or not say, what to think or not think.

The authors say they are witnessing the deterioration of relationships. That restrictive measures have created rivalries and aroused discord between people.

There’s more in this depressing paper, but I’ll stop now. We all get it.

And do you get who’s behind all this? Hint – it’s not God.

This pandemic and the resulting social isolation is affecting our brothers and sisters in Christ, and us as well.

Before reading on, may I ask that you stop for a moment and check on yourself? Are you feeling run down or even exhausted? If anything listed above sounds like yourself, please seek help. 

These effects are unwanted, and they are straining our relationships, our love for one another.

The unfortunate human experience is that hurt people tend to hurt people.

Satan knows that when we are weakened, we are apt to say hurtful things to others. And when we’re on the receiving end of hurtful actions or words, we’re quick to criticize and judge. 

And to compound matters, social isolation has become the convenient excuse to not go out of our way to resolve issues. 

But can I say that in times like these, the best way to beat satan is to reject his game plan. And do what he doesn’t want us to do – to hang on tightly to our love for one another, to make love our first reaction in all circumstances, to love one another first.

As Jesus says in John 13:34 ESV, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

In times like these we need to hang onto each other. In fact we are called to suffer for the good of others.

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter‬ ‭3:8‬ NIV

Peter is asking we be selfless towards one another.

That we be like-minded, having unity of mind. We must not fight against, but alongside each other to overcome our differences. Always keeping in mind Who we share in common – Jesus.

We should have sympathy for one another. God feels what we are feeling. Jesus had feelings for those around Him. I realize being sympathetic is not easy for everyone. But like all else Jesus asks of us, we can have sympathy for one another by taking one step at a time.

Peter’s fourth charge is to be compassionate. Compassion means caring deep down in our soul for the souls of others. Compassion means remembering that prolonged isolation has affected those we love, and us as well. And what we all need right now more than anything else is a hug.      

Finally, we’re to be humble in spirit, having a humble mind. To be ready to put others before ourselves, in the same way Jesus did for us.

The only way to break the bondage of social isolation is with a community of like-minded friends. And let me add that being around people is not the same as being with people.

The best way to protect ourselves from the negative effects of social isolation, and allow the Holy Spirit to change and transform us in a good way, is with a community of sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble friends who have our back just like we have theirs.

Allow me to close with a reminder of what God once said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18 NIV

I still remember the time my one year old granddaughter gently pressed her forehead against mine, held it there for a few seconds and then rested her head on my chest.

I started doing that with her whenever I was assigned papa duty. No words needed to be said, just love.

Let me repeat what was said before, we all need hugs right now more than anything else.      

The world has changed in the past two years and so have we. But God’s love is a constant. Let’s make our love for one another a constant too.

In love always,