These are unprecedented times. Unprecedented means something never before known or experienced. That’s the way we feel about COVID-19. While I sincerely hope and imagine that the current circumstances we are facing aren’t permanent, it stands to reason that this huge (and lengthy) shift in how we live life will make a long-term impact in multiple ways. Following are 3 areas where our choices and outlook going forward will determine if the impacts on our lives are positive or negative.
1. Sometimes we don’t fully appreciate the value of something in our lives until it’s taken away. Whether you are introverted or extroverted, social distancing often causes loneliness and loss of meaningful connection as your interactions are pretty much confined to just the people living in your home.
2. But you can actually use this loss of connection to spur you on to becoming more intentional about cultivating positive connections and social interactions in your life and it can help you no longer take for granted the relationships you have.
3. You can do this by committing to having people over for dinner regularly, meeting friends or acquaintances for coffee, joining (or continuing) in a small group that will help you grow, or simply connecting with your neighbors more often. Regardless of whether you choose to cultivate this, the important is recognizing your need for connection and how that contributes to a better well-being.
Hebrews 10:24-25 GNT Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.
What to watch out for:
Prolonged distancing from people.
While keeping your social circle and interactions small at the height of the virus may be beneficial, new habits and lifestyles incorporating social distancing can make it easy to continue keeping your distance from others even after the current restrictions are lifted. Those with introverted personalities may struggle with this even more.
However, as Christians, we are called to be a light of the world and to interact with and build relationships with people to reflect God to others and share about Him. It’s hard to share God’s light with people when we don’t ever interact with them in person.
Matthew 5:14-16 GNT “You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
1. Sometimes we don’t fully appreciate the value of something in our lives until it’s taken away. Whether you are introverted or extroverted, social distancing often causes loneliness and loss of meaningful connection as your interactions are pretty much confined to just the people living in your home.
2. But you can actually use this loss of connection to spur you on to becoming more intentional about cultivating positive connections and social interactions in your life and it can help you no longer take for granted the relationships you have.
3. You can do this by committing to having people over for dinner regularly, meeting friends or acquaintances for coffee, joining (or continuing) in a small group that will help you grow, or simply connecting with your neighbors more often. Regardless of whether you choose to cultivate this, the important is recognizing your need for connection and how that contributes to a better well-being.
Hebrews 10:24-25 GNT Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.
What to watch out for:
Prolonged distancing from people.
While keeping your social circle and interactions small at the height of the virus may be beneficial, new habits and lifestyles incorporating social distancing can make it easy to continue keeping your distance from others even after the current restrictions are lifted. Those with introverted personalities may struggle with this even more.
However, as Christians, we are called to be a light of the world and to interact with and build relationships with people to reflect God to others and share about Him. It’s hard to share God’s light with people when we don’t ever interact with them in person.
Matthew 5:14-16 GNT “You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
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