On March 7, 2020, the first case of corona virus was reported in Minnesota.  Immediately people went into panic mode and started to hoard such things as toilet paper and water.  When the virus turned into a worldwide pandemic, other things started disappearing from grocery and pharmacy shelves.  In less than two weeks, schools have closed their doors.  There are no live concerts, plays, sporting events, conventions or church services.  Jobs have been eliminated.  We’re hoping for money to tide us over from the government.  The streets are virtually empty.  Parking lots are vacant too.  We’re now in the process of waiting.

For those who suffer from separation anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks or fear this is a time of more than waiting.  So far we’ve seen positive sides of the waiting game as children are learning to be educated at home – parents are struggling to keep a semblance of order and calm – churches are sending out daily devotions on the internet – we see innovative ways in which people can share ideas, converse on face time, have family conversations and meals together – share in hope for the future.

This is really the first week in which we’ve been confined to our homes, yet we’re still able to get to grocery stores and pharmacies.  One week and it already seems like an eternity for many.  We were created to be social animals.  God saw that man should not be alone and he created woman to be a soul mate and helper for him.  Together they would be the source of all humanity.  I wonder how we’ll fair after a month or two of isolation.  Maybe it will be even longer.  We’ll become prisoners in our own homes in a way, but we’ll have access to the outside world through social media, email and television.

So where do we find solace in a time like this?  How do we cope with separation from our friends, co-workers and family members?  This is not going to be an easy road for any of us.  There are many examples of how to deal with anxiety in the Bible.  I could list them all, but most of you already know them.  To even the staunchest believers, our faith is going to be tested through this difficult time.  One thing we must do is stay the course.

Americans of all denominations will turn to God.  Those who don’t believe in God will turn inward or depend on themselves to overcome anxiety.  Some may resort to taking pills or hitting the bottle, but none of that is going to numb us enough for the long haul.  We need to come together again as a nation united.  We must stop the name calling and blame game and realize this is a battle that we will eventually overcome.  This is not a time for politics.  This is a time to fight for our lives and those of our neighbors.  The past few years have been laced with so much hatred and anger.  Now is the time for an about face.  We will win this battle if we’re willing to play the difficult waiting game.

God wants us to put our trust in Him as we’ve done so many times in the past. Why do we always fight it when things are running smoothly?  The world waited for a couple thousand years for their Savior  to arrive.  We should be able to endure this short time of inconvenience.