“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Earlier this year I invited therapist Sarah Covey to speak at a workshop. She talked about the possibility of a post-pandemic “crash.” Not for everyone, but for some.

Generally speaking, we’re designed to handle crises for short periods of time. But the COVID-19 pandemic has been anything but short. The sustained stress of living through an emergency has fatigued our systems. Even as people start to return to some version of normal-ish, many are not feeling as good as they’d like. They feel like they are dragging, burned out, or that they ‘just can’t handle’ situations that used to be easy.

[A link to my sermon on this topic is below.]

There are many things we can do to be well. But as God’s people, a critical way to avoid a crash is to make the right connections. Time and time again in Scripture, connecting with God and with other believers has a stabilizing impact in our lives.

We can always connect with God. But we haven’t been able to do so with other flesh-and-blood people in ways we’re used to. I realize that (depending on your location) there are still restrictions in place. But we need to be proactive with others when we can and if we can.

During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge workers kept falling to their deaths from the scaffolding. So they hung a huge net under the bridge. Construction resumed—and yes, some workers still fell. But those who fell—although scared—were safe.

Connection to God and God’s people in real, tangible ways can help guard us from collapse.

Wars will come and go—but God and God’s people remain. Seasons come and go—but God and God’s people remain. Pandemics come and go—but God and God’s people remain.

The way to avoid a crash is to make the right connections.

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Notes:

—Here is the link to my sermon titled “Avoiding the post-pandemic crash.” There are both watching and listening options.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.