Watch out for the PIT!

Every God-begotten person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:4-5)

As I sit and watch our church service online every Sunday morning, my heart aches a little bit. It also aches when I think about the family members I most likely will not get to see over the holidays, some of whom I only see during the holidays. When I think about the opportunities that are lost being able to hug people or sit at the dinner table with them, it makes me feel sad and isolated. I know we are all feeling that way these days. I think it adds a heightened sense of discontent and hopelessness to our lives when we are not able to express our love to each other on a regular basis. I can only imagine how the elderly feel, especially those that are basically captive in nursing homes. I laid awake last night, unable to turn my brain off, thinking about the pit of despair that is seeming to settle down on all of us. This morning I asked God for some help to lift me out of this muck I’ve found myself in. The 2nd song I heard on my way into work was "Victory In Jesus", by Selah. If that doesn’t pick up your spirit, nothing will!!

"I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing How He made the lame to walk again and 'caused the blind to see And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit" And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory"

"Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever He sought me and He bought me with His redeeming blood He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood."

I love that our victory is in Him. It’s not something we have done or have to continue to do. He’s already completed the victory. We just have to claim it and walk in it. I have found over the years when I find myself sinking into those ugly feelings of despair, not only should I focus on Christ and worshiping Him, but I also should reach out and help others. I’ve had people ask me before what motivates me to do the things I do for God. First and foremost, it is His love for me, but it’s also a little bit of a sanity issue. If I’m focused on helping others, I don’t focus on what is wrong in my life or the world around me.

There are so many things that can make us feel defeated, but there is One who can help us overcome and walk in Victory. Even if the victory is just walking in thankfulness of His love and salvation. If you are feeling as so many of us are feeling these days; isolated, lonely, or discontent, I challenge you to spend some time worshipping God and ask Him who can you reach out to and help. Our world is full of hurting, angry and confused people. They need to see Christ’s love in action. Of course, we must find new and creative ways to spread His love, but a pandemic and quarantine does not give us an excuse not to try.

● Send a card to someone you miss.

● Cook a dinner for a shut in and leave it on their porch.

● Draw a smile on your facemask when you are out and about.

● Speak some encouragement to the grocery store clerk.

● Call one of your long-lost relatives you haven’t spoken to since last Christmas.

● Go visit your mom/dad, aunt/uncle, grandma/grandpa that lives alone and hasn’t had human contact in weeks, even if it is through a window.

● Play games via Skype or Zoom.

● Find someone you can safely hug. If you can’t find someone, call me, I’ll put on a shower curtain and come hug you!! I did a little research online of the benefits of hugs. (https://www.pihhealth.org/wellness/blog/the-surprising-health-benefits-of-a-simple-hug/) No wonder we are all sinking into the pit of despair! This pandemic has taken away one thing that “helps reduce stress and lower your risk of anxiety, depression and illness.”

That overwhelming pit of depression, despair, hopelessness, whatever you choose to call it, can sneak up on you if you are not careful. One day you’re singing "Victory in Jesus", and the next day you're laying on your couch at noon watching Friends reruns, picking Cheetos off your PJs. Watch out for the quicksand that can pull you down before you even realize you are stuck. When you do find yourself in that place, remember you don’t have to stay there. One cry out to the One that provides us our Victory and you will be singing again!