Finding Something Greater

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Marty Clary, Chaplain
  • 139th Airlift Wing

This is a time of great confusion, chaos and fear.  I’ve heard everything about the Coronavirus being a Chinese plot to destroy the World’s economy, to a Government conspiracy to get rid of the weak and aged, to it being the end of the world.  It’s easy in a time like this to focus our attention inward and become self-centered.  Whatever the reason behind this pandemic, I suggest we use it as a time to look beyond ourselves and find something greater. 

3 suggestions to help move your focus outward:

1.  Prayer: If prayer is a part of your normal practice, then I encourage you to pray, pray and pray some more.  The more we pray, the greater our peace of mind and the more confidence we have.  Studies show that those who pray have less anxiety and it helps them understand greater purposes and resolve problems.  If prayer is not a part of your normal practice, now might be the time to start.

2.  Strengthen family relationships: Perhaps you have more time with your family than you have had in years.  Use this time to reconnect with and strengthen your family.  Unplug from your electronics and play cards or a board game, work on a puzzle.  There are hundreds of thousands of options.  It doesn’t really matter what you choose as long as you are doing it together.  Make your family the priority they long to be.

3.  Focus on community: This may sound strange as we are constantly being told to socially distance from others.  It began with not shaking hands or hugging, then we were told to be at least 6 feet apart, then many were told not to go to work, and now the suggestion is not to leave your house.  These are good practices to stop the spread of Covid-19, but in so-doing we miss the spiritual value of community and gathering together.  Togetherness helps us inspire one another, it helps us gain strength and it gives us someone to lean on.  You may not be able to gather like you are used to, but seek out ways to influence the lives of those around you in a positive manner.

This time of chaos, fear and confusion will pass, but it gives us opportunity to see what we take for granted.  Hopefully this is a time for us to realize that we need each other and a time to look for and to something greater than ourselves.  This is the perfect time to show an outward sign of your inward faith.