We are in the midst of a global pandemic. Every day we are faced with new and ever-changing information regarding COVID-19. For me, it changes so quickly that it’s nearly impossible to form a coherent thought about the disease. I strive to follow the “must-do’s” that will keep as many of us as safe and healthy as possible–and I know I’m not the only one. We are all doing the best that we possibly can.
My heart has been continually discouraged during this time for a number of reasons, but I’d like to share one of them with you in this post. If the information has been pervasive during this time, the divide in opinions over that information has been catastrophic. A simple scroll through Facebook reveals how polarized the opinions on COVID-19 have grown…
- The disease was manufactured in a lab, or were its origins natural?
- Is the WHO the enemy or the hero?
- Am I a good person if I’m wearing a mask to protect others or am I a good person because I don’t wear a mask in order to stand up for my personal liberties?
- Is the government deliberately destroying the economy through lockdowns or are they trying to flatten the curve?
- Do we need a coronavirus vaccine or not?
- Who is to blame for the spread of COVID-19? (Which to me begs the question, why do we need someone to blame?)
These are just a handful of the talking points that I see every day as I scan my newsfeed. I’ve seen people that I know personally, people from my hometown, and strangers fall victim to being on the “wrong” side of one of these talking points. It’s incredibly sad to me that we’ve taken this time that ought to be unifying, and twisted it into another opportunity to viscerally disagree. When we all should be learning how to be more gentle with each other because we can more readily empathize with the plight of our neighbor, we are using our opinions as ammunition to fire at one another.
As a follower of Christ, am I called to live by the teachings of the Bible and I’d like to share Ephesians chapter 4, written by the apostle Paul. Paul tells us that we must “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (verses 2 and 3). I have increasingly little humbleness, gentleness, patience, or love towards one another during this pandemic. Imagine how different things would be if we kept these virtues at the forefront of our minds before making a condescending comment on a post we disagree with, or sharing an article that is meant to be inflammatory? There is still so much we don’t know about COVID-19, and the least we can do is be kind to one another while we collectively walk through this time. I’ve been just as guilty of judging a person’s decisions and opinions on the disease, but starting today I want to change. I don’t want to use a time of sorrow to further my political agenda. I don’t want to alienate those who are doing their best in a different way than I am. I don’t want to model to my kids that if you don’t agree with someone they are automatically wrong.
If you’re reading this, thanks for taking a peek into my heart–and I hope you’ll join me.