What a Kick in the Teeth!

Currently, it is difficult for many Christians to “experience the abundant life” detailed in the Bible when they are living in a house with no heat, little light and many unable to bring in a paycheck.  Some are now facing major water damage in their homes resulting from cracked pipes from the current storm.  They find themselves in the long queue to deal with insurance companies. Where do they stay with an inhabitable home and hotels jampacked?  Facing all this, it is easy to become distraught. Things are bleak!  Compounded on top of this, numerous folks have loved ones who are fighting COVID-19, pneumonia, and the flu.  Often, these dear people are isolated having to suffer on their own.  To boot, this exacerbates mental illnesses that many of us are battling.  What a kick in the teeth!  So, what do we do?

Don’t do life by yourselves.  The New Testament repeatedly describes the Christian life as part of an “one another” community.  Paul the Apostle details what community should look like in Romans 12:5,9-19, “⁵ in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others… ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”

Are you a part of a Christian community expressed above?  If not, look for churches where the Word of God is ministered in a straightforward, graceful way and have transparent, authentic Life Groups, Re:Gen (individual recovery ministry), Re:Engage (marriage recovery ministry)/or active Marriage Mentoring, and Bible based-full of life-growth groups for your children.  For the more complicated ones of us, is there access to Godly professional counseling at a reduced rate?  Each of must be a part of a community that supports our spiritual life as we actively support them.  If you are embarrassed about your spiritual life and the life of your family, start your community journey by being more of a recipient than a giver.  If this is still too much for you, simply reach out to a Christian in an informal way.  That’s a start.  Once you do, your life and the life of your family will grow and be refreshed at your pace.  

There are no solo acts.  Life is meant to be shared in a community especially in these dark, confusing, depressing days.