The Third Pandemic: a Relational Recession

We all know that we are in the middle of a medical pandemic, and that a secondary effect of that pandemic is an economic recession.  These two crises constantly scream at us in our headlines.  But there is a third crisis that has come about as a result of these two crises: a relational recession.  Because of social distancing, we are cut off from many of the normal types of social interaction that typically nourish us.  Here are some of our new realities:

• We are missing out on hugs and other forms of physical touch.
• Unmarried people find themselves in a relational desert; while Internet usage is up, dating sites are down.
• Because we aren’t physically present in our offices and churches, we miss out on those quick two-minute conversations that bring necessary social news and context.
• Shorter discussions are frequently handled by text or email, which increase the likelihood of misunderstanding because they lack body language and tone of voice.
• Zoom and other communications media bring special challenges to those with limited vision or hearing, or are technically challenged; and even the technically gifted still struggle with non-communication and miscommunication.
• This results in important decisions being made without all voices being fully heard and understood.
• With restrictions on hospital visits and memorial services, we are cut off from our familiar ways of expressing grief.
• Physical violence has moved: while violent crime on our streets has diminished, rates of domestic violence have risen.
• While we are hungry for social interaction, many who feel threatened and angry fill discussions with angry, toxic content.  Much of the social milk out there has soured.
• Remaining socially isolated becomes a downward spiral, inducing us to become more entrenched in isolation, disappointment and hopelessness.

The bottom line is that we are longing for relational input, and sadly much of the input out there is toxic rather than edifying.  We need Christians at this time to rise up as voices of compassion and hope.  We need to be messengers of love.  There is a message of love in 1 Corinthians 13 that is more relevant to us than anything in today’s news.  While love itself never changes, because circumstances change love adapts itself to respond.

What should love look like during a pandemic?  Here are the qualities of love Paul lists in 1 Corinthians 13, each with a practical application relevant to today’s circumstances. 

• Because love is patient, I will care for the needs of the vulnerable as long as this pandemic lasts.
  

• Because love is kind, I will care for the physical as well as spiritual needs of those around me.
  
• Because love does not envy, I will give thanks for those whose health and finances are better than mine.
  
• Because love does not boast, I will not speak unkindly of places that cannot afford Covid testing or treatment, or whose population densities do not allow for social distancing.
  
• Because love is not proud, I will not despise those who need unemployment checks to provide for rent or groceries.
  
• Because love is not rude, every word from my lips and keyboard will be gracious, inviting those with different opinions to engage in dialogue.
  
• Because love does not insist on its own way, I will embrace new technologies I may not particularly like.
  
• Because love is not irritable, I will dump my everyday crabbiness on God in prayer before I dump it on others in my household.
  
• Because love forgives wrongs, I will overlook the irritating words and deeds of others as we spend extended time under the same roof.
  
• Because love does not delight in evil, I will not compromise my commitment to Christian morality as I lovingly engage with those who don’t share my values.
  
• Because love rejoices in the truth, I will speak and post only those things that I directly link to a reliable source.
  
• Because love always protects, I will carefully wash my hands, wear a mask and maintain appropriate distance.
  
• Because love always trusts, I will give others the benefit of the doubt when communication by text and email isn’t clear.
  
• Because love always hopes, I will remember that every pandemic and recession in history has come to a conclusive end.
  
• Because love always perseveres, I will remain in contact with those others have forgotten.
  
• Because love never stops, I will daily let God’s love fill me anew so I can keep on loving when others have ceased.
  

You may not be getting much positive relational input these days.  But there is an infinitely deep well of compassion we can draw on daily: the love of God.  Jesus said in John 7:37-38, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”  The love of God is an inexhaustible well that we can draw from daily.  In addition, we should use every possible means to receive healthy human interaction.  We must have discernment to turn down the volume on those sources of interaction that fill us with anger and anxiety and turn up the volume on those that build us up.  When we do those things we will have more than enough to meet our own needs and share with those around us.  People around us are running on empty relationally.  Even while we are observing social distancing, we can still find ways to demonstrate God’s love.