pandemic ponderings – that’s all this is – I confess it now, up front.

why does time drag on so slowly when we are young but then speed past us way too fast when we are older?   first we want to speed time up, then we want to slow time down  . . .  we are never satisfied are we?

why are two people in a boat ok but three people in that same boat are breaking the law?

the pandemic has done a lot for germaphobes, elevating their status and making germaphobes the new cool ones,

the pandemic has also made it possible for “closet germaphobes” to come out into the open without fear of ridicule, they don’t have to hide their behaviors anymore

and the pandemic has created new germaphobes by turning those who are not nor never have been germaphobes into brand new germaphobes

germaphobes are no longer a pitied minority but are now a powerful majority – they are the new ruling class, so to speak

germaphobes are the heroes of this pandemic, the new role models for all of us –

behavior that might have been labeled bizarre in the past is now heralded as the new healthy behavior we all should be emulating – this would include frequent handwashing (which used to be labeled as excessive and as eccentric behavior) avoidance of touching others and surfaces, manifested by not punching elevator buttons or opening doors or shaking hands or by wearing winter gloves all year round and wearing them indoors (none of which will be considered odd behavior anymore)

germaphobes will no longer be thought to suffer from OCD ( I always want to call it OCDC, probably because of the group AC/DC, remember them?)

if germaphobe is now the new normal does that mean the old normal was what? germ lover?  germ embracer?  germ disregarder?

well, COVID-19 has created a population peopled with germaphobes – I don’t know if that means we are ready to face COVID-19 in battle or simply that the virus has succeeded in filling us all with fear (which is what a phobia is, fear of something) leaving us perplexed (not thinking rationally) therefore paralyzed and powerless to fight against this virus effectively –

COVID-19 further demonstrates how effective its fear strategy has been in that we are often found to be fighting against each other rather than this virus – a brilliant tactical move by our enemy –  fear is a multifaceted weapon, after all – effective against an enemy in a multitude of ways.

but I don’t want to live full of fear, that is no way to live, (if it can even be called living?)  I want to live life full of compassion, full of courage, full of hope and faith and love – all the things necessary to live life to its fullest.

one last confession is in order at this point, I believe  – technically I think germaphobe is incorrect in the case of COVID-19 – the more correct term would be virusaphobe – but I have never heard that term used before, so will stick with the more familiar word -germaphobe

so how do we defeat this invisible enemy?  how do I do daily battle with this invisible virus?  this enemy has already struck many blows to me and succeeded in disarming me by taking many things from me.

It started by taking my job.  The virus took that from me and with the loss of a job other losses quickly follow.  The loss of income, the loss of ability to pay bills and provide for one’s family, the loss of purpose, daily routine and way to contribute to society all contribute to the demise of the virus’s victims.

Stripped of all these protections, the virus next isolates its victims.  That opens the door for anxiety and depression to enter in, attacking their victim while at his most vulnerable.  Yes, this virus disarms and then destroys lives, one way or another.  If it can’t make contact with you physically, it will just destroy your life with loss and fear.  It will consume you with all you are required to do to avoid contact with it.

As long as COVID-19 can keep me hiding out at home – the victory belongs to the virus.  It does not want me to take back my life.  That’s how it wins – this virus holds us hostage.  When will the tide turn in this war, we wonder?

I am comforted and encouraged to persevere in this pandemic by the words in Psalm 3:3-4 & 8,  and from the words in Psalm 28:7,

“But You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.  To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill.  . . .  From the Lord comes deliverance.  May Your blessing be on Your people.”

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.”

today all I need is to remember these words from Deuteronomy 20:4,

“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

the ultimate victory over COVID-19 and over every other enemy past, present or future is God’s –

“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.  Where, O death, are your plagues?  Where, O grave, is your destruction?”  (Hosea 13:14)

“He will swallow up death forever.  The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth.  The Lord has spoken.”   (Isaiah 25:8)

sincerely,         Grace Day