At River Valley, we just started a new series through our core values. This last weekend, we talked about our first and probably most important one: Connect to Thrive: We connect people to Jesus and each other through life groups, for authentic relationships and growth, because lives depend on it.
Countless studies show us that isolation is horrible for our health. Most recently and more fascinatingly is this Gallup mental health study of Americans, in which every category of people expressed worse mental health from 2019 to 2020, except those attending a religious service weekly.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/327311/americans-mental-health-ratings-sink-new-low.aspx%C2%A0
Very eye-opening. Even those who attended “nearly weekly” were in the same boat as every other category of people who experienced the mental health decline.
However, some of us are stuck at home right now, for various reasons, concerned we might get the virus (or give the virus to someone else). I have a few thoughts for Christians, how do we Connect to Thrive when we are isolated at home?
1) Determine a Measurable, Reasonable Standard by Which You Will Return to In Person Gatherings.
If we just wait until things “feel right,” or are “completely safe,” that day may never come. Standards based on feeling are not very reliable. And an object at rest stays at rest. The more time that you’re away, the more difficult getting back “in motion” will be.
What might be a good standard? Maybe when cases drop below a certain point in our county. Or better yet, to have a conversation with your doctor about the risks of return, balanced with the decline of your mental/social health (we’re all feeling it). If your doctor is anything like mine, she or he will be very understanding and come at it from a balanced perspective. Maybe your standard is the weather, that when it warms up you’ll interact more with church services and groups. Set a standard and then ruthlessly commit yourself to it.
Of course, determining this reasonable, measurable standard also involves an honest look at your risks. I’m not a doctor, but statistically, it seems that older people are those most at risk, the younger people, not so much (there are always exceptions).
But think critically about this question: Is a church service more dangerous than Winco? It could be, depending on how seriously the church takes the pandemic. But I suspect that the risk levels are similar, particularly if you’re cautious.
2) Consider a Weekly Conversation with Someone on the Phone or Video Chat.
This is especially valuable if that person is in a similar situation to you. We need relational connection, even if we can’t get it in person. This discipline of a weekly conversation will encourage you to not curve inwards on yourself.
3) If the Weather Permits, Meet with Someone Outside for a Walk or with Spaced-out, Camp Chairs.
Someone sent me a picture last week of her life group, meeting outside on their deck, all bundled up in coats and blankets. I was so encouraged by that. It makes me think of the early church, doing whatever it takes to meet in person. Many in our church are meeting on porches, or talking walks and hikes. When exercise is involved, you get double the benefit. Actually more like triple the benefit with social, mental, and physical health improving.
4) Stay Plugged in to the Life and News of Your Local Church.
Most of you reading this probably call River Valley your home church. Continue watching the teachings, staying aware of what’s happening, pray with us and for us. Continue to support your home church financially as well, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Instead of watching Fox News or CNN all day, pay attention to your church’s news, and your local news. It’s immensely more relevant and you might actually be able to do something about it.
5) Write Notes and Letters.
Not only do you stay invested through prayer and conversations, but consider working on notes and letters of encouragement. We are definitely missing out on something in our high-speed communication era. Even as the quantity of our words goes down, the QUALITY of the conversation goes up quite a bit. Have you noticed that much of our New Testament was written when church leaders were in prison? Forced isolation produced the greatest book of all time, a book of long-distance letters.
6) Wisely Assess the Situation & Trust God.
On the one hand, God has called us to wisdom, not foolishness. We shouldn’t test God by taking unnecessary risks. On the other hand, there is no way to totally prevent getting COVID. Or any other illness or death. One of our family members skipped our wedding, only to die a month later of a stroke. Time is short, and life is precious.
In talking to many of our seniors at church, safety is not their only priority. Quality of life is too. So I respect my older family members who sat out this Thanksgiving out of caution, and I respect those who showed up, saying: “How many Thanksgivings do I really have left? I’m going to enjoy them.”
We should walk in wisdom, but at the end of the day, all we can do entrust ourselves to God and walk in (thoughtful) faith. God has commanded us to meet together. He never said how big our gatherings should be or where they should be, but only that they should be. With our mental health and our marriages on the brink, isolation is not a long-term option for the Christian. It’s far too dangerous.
-Tyler
