The Struggle is Real.

The current condition we are living in is nothing any of us have lived in before, contact is discouraged, visiting loved one, and having friends over for coffee is a no-no. This past week was tough for me because I realized that although I am an introvert, I need physical touch, as it is one of my primary love languages. I am a hugger and I need to have physical contact with the people I love and care for. I realized that I miss talking to people face to face and being able to touch, hug, kiss the cheek of those I call my friends and family. OH THE HEARTACHE!

As I roughed it through the week, I became more and more anxious. I wrestled with frustration at God and my husband, and I would say I even became depressed. I started to doubt God, doubt His plan for my life, doubt that He cared about what I (and the world) are going through, even doubting God's sovereignty. I was beginning to feel alone and despondent, and finally became angry with God. It was a rough week to say the least.

Our home celebrating a brother in Christ's birthday. June 2019

Having to refrain from physical contact has made me realize I not only need interaction but I also need physical touch, which proves we are a creation that is in need of relationships. We need our family, our friends, neighbors and all who we encounter in our community. We are relational beings who are told we have to keep our relationships at a distance. The struggle to maintain distance for the safety of myself and the sake of my family has proven to me that I desperately need others. It is clear in the Scriptures that God created us to be relational, "The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18 NIV.

The truth is we are not alone and the struggle that we are going through. Being apart from those we love and care for is evidence that God created us intentionally for relationship, with one another and with Him. We are in desperate need of being with one another and even though we cant, we can call and talk on the phone, we can Skype, Zoom or video chat. We have to become creative in continuing to cultivate our relationships, to grow new relationships that had begun just before social distancing and to reach out for those we have not heard from in a while. The struggle is real to stay connected to our relationships and to maintain a sense of normalcy when we see one another. Do I wave? Air hug, virtual hug, air fist bump? Does it even matter? But even though this is a difficult time for many of us, it does not mean we are alone. Pick up the phone and call someone, send a text and check in on a coworker, let them know you are praying for them. Ask them if or better yet, HOW you can be praying for them. Let those you trust, know when you are in need of prayer yourself. Dont let the struggle become so real you lose hope, joy and peace - because the struggle is real for all of us right now.