For a month or more now, we have been required to stay in our homes as the novel coronavirus has its way with the world. In many countries, including the United States, the awful statistics of illnesses and deaths have become smaller and hope for a return to "normal" is rising. Some of us are beginning to allow ourselves the luxury of dealing with the deeper questions posed by a world-wide pandemic. So many questions begin to trouble our minds! Why must the whole world suffer will illness and uncertainty? Why is mankind plagued with a virus that the world's best medical minds are still struggling to treat? Why must we surrender our freedom in order to save our lives? Perhaps most disturbing of all, why do hundreds of thousands of people of all nations and creeds die in spite of medical science's best efforts? Let's take a moment to wrestle with our questions.
It is all right to say, "I don't know!"
Even the wisest of the wise have never answered every question. The human mind, wonderful as it is, cannot comprehend everything. The real problem is that humans are not comfortable with not knowing. When we have unanswered questions we feel out-of-control. In circumstances such as those in which we find ourselves now that can be frightening. There are three ways to react to our questions and fears. We can tell ourselves that God has left us to the whims of fate. "Where is God while people are dying?" is a tempting question. Obviously such a conclusion is not very comforting! It is also too easy. What results when we take this approach is that we are left with more unanswered questions and even more fears. Or we could blame God for the problem. We might think that God is punishing humanity for its sins. Again we are left with questions but no answers. One of my teachers, religious social worker Mina Russell used to say, "We blame things on our loving God that we wouldn't blame on our worst enemy!" There is a third way, a way that requires courage but ultimately brings comfort even though it many not answer all our questions.
Respond not react.
Bring all those questions and fears to God. Be honest! Tell Him, "I don't understand! I'm angry! I'm afraid!" Whatever your feeling, tell God about it. He's listening and He cares. Even if you are not so sure it's true. Next ask Him what He wants you to do to make the world better. I 'm serious. The "little" things that we do at times like this suddenly become big things. Years ago I got an early morning phone call from a friend. She had awakened to find her baby daughter dead and tearfully she said to me, "I don't know what to do!" My wife and I ran to her house and discovered that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome had robbed this young woman and her husband of their child. What could I say? I had many questions but no answers. But her husband had answers. The two of them had been drifting apart but confronted with tragedy, he comforted her, listened to her cries, dried her tears. The two became close again. A few years later I learned that God has blessed them with a new baby - a girl! This young husband knew that he needed to respond not react. He saw his beloved wife in need and he did what he could to meet her needs, even though he had his own questions.
So ask God what He wants you to do. Use what skills you have to make someone's life better. Can you cook? Make a good meal for someone who might need it. Do you have a telephone? Call someone and tell him or her that you are thinking about them and you care.Simple acts of kindness become even more important when times are frightening like they are now. You may not find all the answers you seek, but soon you will realize that God isn't so far away at all. And you are in His hands!
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