Patience, Paranoia, and Phileo: Sherelle Ducksworth

Here we are, week 7 of the COVID-19 saga. Many of us did not think we would be here living in our respective places of mild to severe isolation. Nevertheless, here we are, learning how to live distantly from others, how to properly eulogize loved ones, how to balance work, school, and children, and how to master obtaining toilet paper from our local stores before they leap off the shelves. The COVID-19 pandemic has been life altering, but not only in the ways mentioned above. Here are 3 ways the pandemic is affecting us!

1.       Paranoia

COVID-19 has brought an intense amount of stress and anxiety. Many people are on edge about contracting the virus even when they are practicing extreme social distancing. But it occurred to me, primarily because I am one of ones described above, that the fear of contracting the virus might be about more than the fear of death itself. Paranoia surrounding death can be rooted in a fear of having your life cut short before your life plans come to fruition.

For some of us, the virus threatens the security we once thought we had. Some of us fear not making it to our graduations either now or in the near future, getting our dream home, getting married, having a thriving ministry, or watching our kids or parents grow older. In other words, we might fear the unraveling of how we have planned our life.

But God’s providence is a source of comfort. After Job loses everything, His days are filled with the counsel of his friends and family in their attempt to make sense of Job’s loss of his children, riches, and health. Elihu, one of Job’s friends makes a statement worth contemplating. In Job 38: 36 he says “Who put wisdom in the heart or gave the mind understanding?”

Odd verse for comfort huh? But this verse made me consider the measure of wisdom and understanding that I have and then it hit me. If I have a measure of wisdom and understanding, the Giver of wisdom and understanding has to have more than I do. This truth reminded me that God’s providence flows from perfect wisdom and understanding. His sustaining of the world, His ordering of my life, His plan for the time span of my life is based on perfect wisdom and understanding. Thus, there is no need for paranoia.  

2.      Patience

We live in a culture of high productivity and instant gratification. Used to our fast-pace service and quick results, this pandemic has left us tired of waiting. Many of us are tired to being away from our church community, tired of not having anywhere to go, or tired of staring into the computer attending countless Zoom meetings. We have been forced into a slower pace and delayed results. Grocery shopping is delayed as online orders require reservation slots that can be a week away at minimum,  normal grooming habits that could happen in a manner of hours have been on our to-do list for weeks now, and homeschooling has led many to believe that the new school year can’t come fast enough. It is safe to say, the struggle is real. This struggle, however, is our lack of patience masquerading around as desire for normalcy. We are not used to waiting. But we are admonished to wait. Romans 12:12 reads, Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Discussing Christian ethics, Paul encourages us to be patient in affliction. While affliction in this season can be both mild and severe, we are called to be patient. Patience demonstrates an awareness of and belief in God’s providence, justice, faithfulness, and mercy. Patience is holding on to the expectancy of God’s grace and promises in the midst of trials and testings. The COVID-19 pandemic is teaching us patience. In the midst of the pandemic whether your affliction is mild or severe, be patient. 

3.      Phileo

The word phileo is the Greek word for brotherly love. The COVID-19 has not passed over our relationships during this pandemic. Specifically, there has been a lack of brotherly love in mocking and disregarding the social distancing boundaries of others. True to our western thinking, we see things in binaries or dichotomies and typically judge one aspect of the binary as good, wise, or positive, while the second aspect of the binary is considered bad, foolish, or negative. Those who are lax about social distancing identify those who are cautious or extreme about COVID-19 as irrational and untrusting of God. Those who are extreme identify those who are lax as careless, selfish, and inconsiderate of others. But the Bible calls us to a different attitude. 1 Corinthians 13:5 “does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil” In spite of our different views on social distancing, love your brothers and sisters well by respecting their boundaries. Crossing those boundaries might lead them to anxiety and fear. To those who are cautious don’t use your words to charge them as irresponsible and careless. Find ways to love them from afar even if that means enduring another Zoom call! Loving others well during this pandemic requires selflessness, tactfulness, and kindness.

So, let us be mindful in this season to grow in patience as we await COVID-19’s departure, rest in the peace God provides, and practice loving those around us well!

Sherelle Ducksworth is a Phd. student at Southeastern studying Systematic Theology and a Sociology Instructor at Louisburg College. She is a faithful rerun watcher, roller skater, and book reader! She is new member at Christ Our King Community Fellowship in Raleigh, North Carolina.