“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV
What is it about a crisis that brings out the best and the worst in people? When news of the pandemic began to affect our area the first visible result was a run on toilet paper and cleaning supplies and empty grocery store shelves. People bought in bulk without thinking about how their choices might affect someone else. Toilet paper is returning to the shelves, but it is still difficult to find certain cleaning and disinfecting supplies as a result of the crisis.
But as time moved on something else has happened. The local grocery story collects donations of food from people in the community to be distributed locally and our church’s food pantry is one recipient of those donations. Their bins have been regularly overflowing. We have been called to pick up our share of the contributions more frequently than we usually are and our food pantry is well stocked as a result of the crisis.
What is it about a crisis that brings out the best and worst in people?
One answer to that question is that who we really are is what rises to the top when the pressure is on. The first thing that rose to the top for many people was fear. Fear motivated the cleared-out shelves at the store. Not only were the paper goods gone, but at first, the meat cases were also cleaned out. The pandemic began to touch our area around Saint Patrick's Day. I went shopping the week after and saw that fear-driven shopping had motivated the store to spread out the unsold corned beef where other meats would normally be stocked to cover up the empty cases. That was a strange sight!
What else came to the top? Selfishness. A friend who works at the grocery store, told me how stressful it was for the cashiers because people would yell at them when they couldn’t find what they wanted. When limits were instituted to try to make the supply last for everyone who wanted it, the cashiers received more tongue-lashings. Now there are employees stationed outside the store to remind people to wear a face mask when they enter. I can only imagine what they have to endure!
But as things have settled, although there are still some empty shelves and limits, the bins continue to fill with donations. Could it be guilt coming to the surface after hoarding what others really needed? Whatever the reason, generosity has risen to the surface. But the truth is that fear is still not submerged and those poor cashiers still experience the worst.
What comes to the top when you are under pressure? I hate to tell you this, but whatever comes to the top is who you really are. If you are not content with what has been coming to the top during this crisis, perhaps it is time to do some self-assessment and self-adjustment, but don’t focus on the self. What you really need is Spirit-assessment and Spirit-adjustment. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. That is the promise Jesus gave us. Sometimes the truth we most need is the truth about ourselves, even if it's an ugly truth. The great part about the Holy Spirit’s flashlight on our ugly is that He is also the One who helps us to make the adjustments. He is the Assessor and the Adjustor.
How does God want us to respond to the crises that arise in our world? What does God require of us when the pressure is on?
Here are a few beams from that Holy Spirit flashlight:
“What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45 NLT
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!” Proverbs 24:10 NIV
Do you see anything about yourself in that light?
The truth about myself is sometimes difficult to accept. But the truth about myself is the truth I most need. How have I responded in this crisis? I have worked too hard and too long. It feels safer to keep working than to stop and feel. I would not say that fear has been a motivator. I don’t like the uncertainty. I definitely don’t! And I am as full of questions as you are. But I think what has risen to the surface for me is a real sense that God does have it all under control, that He really will lead and guide us, He really will work this together for good. That is comforting to see about me because it definitely has not always been that way!
I have mourned with the losses, sometimes more deeply than expected. I have been disappointed in the responses of others, including other Christians, and have had to wrestle with that, sometimes longer than I would like to admit.
Through it all, I have determined to remain steady in my commitment to purpose. My purpose is to honor God no matter what I am doing. My purpose is to live for Him regardless of conditions. My purpose s to nurture and equip others to live for His glory, to fulfill divine potential for His glory. That doesn't stop during a pandemic. In fact, it is more needed than ever.
What is the crisis bringing out in you? What has come to the surface for you during this time of global stress? Has the crisis shaken your faith or strengthened it? Has the stress shifted your focus toward purpose or towards fear?
Why not focus on these questions? Am I living out what I say I believe? What has God called me to? Is that purpose anchoring me during this crisis? How can I honor God and let that come to the surface even in a crisis?
Be blessed, Dear Friend!
Key thought: What comes to the surface when you are under pressure is who you really are.
A Scripture to consider: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV
A YES Challenge: Take some time to prayerfully look back over the months since this crisis began. What has risen to the top in you? How do you feel about what you are seeing in yourself? Take some time to process your discoveries in God’s presence and ask Him to help you move forward with grace.
Prayer: Father, this has been a difficult time for everyone. I know that I am no exception. As I see what this crisis has brought out in me, I see things that surprise me, in good ways and in ways that I regret. Help me to fully rely on You as I process this pandemic. Let my hope be in You alone. Amen.