Trying to live beyond feelings while experiencing the Covid-19 Pandemic

Today, living beyond our own feelings have become an incredible challenge for many due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This I say especially because a great percentage of our feelings are based on our knowledge and experiences of what happened and is currently happening to and around us. Many of us are still trying to grasp a full understanding of this pandemic’s impact on the entire world. What was the norm is still in question as to whether things will ever go back to being what they used to be. Minds want to reset desperately and reside in a better state of existence, but they still cannot completely dispose of the personal and societal traumas being experienced.

The fact is, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced all of mankind to rethink and create other unusual solutions for living. At the helm of things, these initiatives limited face to face contact with one another – forcing social beings to become anti-social in many ways for over a year and a half in order to resolve the problems birthed. I for one was limited to working from home for an entire year and a half. My three children also attended school remotely from home for that entire period as well. This remote and restricted experience opened the door for social media to influence us and others on many levels – good and bad. Social media’s easy access and availability covertly worked its way into our lives that it became a crutch for many, if not everyone. Today, it’s influence in our daily lives has become a force to be reckoned with. Life has become fragmented on so many different levels as well. When we look at the news, and follow others updates on social media, we are often discouraged and alarmed at what our world has become. If we were never concerned about our children’s future, today we are.

To expound a little further, I just couldn’t leave out my co-workers’ expressions of what’s happening to them in this current period – many of them have voiced how hard it is for them to cope with returning to work in person on a day to day basis and to even think positively about the future. Too many are stressed, depressed, and discouraged from the tragic loss of loved ones and the changes that covid-19 brought on in their personal and family lives.

Overall, the impact is even greater than we all can see, imagine, and express. From the political world, to the economy, the workforce, the school systems, and the religious facets of life – all are in some form of jeopardy.  Nevertheless, what creams to the top of these elements now are the stresses and impacts rising from the inflation, mental health problems, increased crime rate, homelessness, and hopelessness.

I really feel it for the millennial generation especially – those who are now starting a family and desire to own their own properties. Property prices are ridiculously higher, and not to leave out renting an apartment. Here in New York City the price for apartment  rentals in most cases are higher than a mortgage. The pay increases for people’s salaries to match life’s demands are yet to be seen and acquired.

So where is the silver lining for all of these problems and experiences?  It is up to each individual and family to decide how they see, relate, and handle their challenges. However, it is important that everyone keep their mental focus on the fact that there is no challenge greater than what God has already given the victory over through his son Jesus. We are to challenge ourselves everyday henceforth to dream, speak, and live in the greatness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the first book of Peter 5:10 it states, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” This scripture verse reminds us that it is God who will help us. He himself will restore us and strengthen us. We are to trust, lean, and depend on him. Also, it is imperative that we draw closer to him everyday and to not lean on our own understanding and strength. He is our keeper and strength. Acts 17:28 states, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being;” Be and stay blessed!

Written by: Iodelle A. Chinnery