A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing
~Psalm 68:5-6 NIV
One of the fears people have been talking about recently is the dramatic increase of isolation. As self-quarantine and social distancing continues to grow stricter here in the United States, people are isolated more than ever. This sudden loss of social interaction and community increases depression to those who live alone or feel confined in their homes. As the church, we are working hard to respond to this side of the current pandemic. This is why we need continue to be social, in ways that are physically distant.
Paul writes to the Thessalonians, "Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing" (1 Th. 5:11). The group Paul is addressing is in panic about death and the end times. He tells them not to be anxious and not to worry about the end, because no one knows when it will happen. Jesus reminds us of the same message in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
As the Psalm above states, "God sets the lonely in families," or gives them "a homeland" as a sub note describes. God has placed people in our lives to connect with and be in community with, regardless if we are distant. He has placed us in families so that we can encourage each other in times of anxiety and be encouraged ourselves.
So, in this time of anxiety and isolation, reach out to people. Utilize the families and communities God has set for you. Utilize the tools we have in this age to continue to be social. Tune in to your churches broadcast if they have one.
And as Paul last wrote to the Thessalonians, "Now may the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all" (2 Th. 3:16).
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