Have you reached a point in this quarantine that you simply feel defeated, depressed, anxious, lonely, unmotivated, or angry? If so, this post is for you.
I am positive that we have all heard more than enough about the coronavirus and are tired of being socially isolated. We have dealt with this virus for a while, and especially those of us in Ireland know that having a 5k (3.1 miles) radius where we can travel is hard. It’s hard not to have any places to visit nor people to hug. The sweet delights of going out for dinner, going to a museum, or simply getting your haircut seems like a dream we have all taken for granted most of our lives. I am a self-proclaimed optimist, but I admit, I am starting to get angry at this world. It seems the angrier I get, the harder it is for me to keep my joy alive. But, with time, I know this shall pass and I promise you that I will cry with joy the next time I can hug all my friends and eat dinner at a crowded restaurant. Until then, I want to remind both myself and everyone how loved we are by God, and how even in the current brokenness and darkness of this world, there is light to be found.
Before I suggest how we find this “light”, I want to address that I don’t mean to imply that any feelings of depression, especially clinical depression, can be stepped out of with the simple snap of one’s fingers. Doctors and therapists are real and useful professionals who can and should help anyone struggling with a physical or mental ailment. However, I do believe that even in a state of depression, one can continue to find ways to keep moving.
God’s love is easy. God is always with us, never leaves us, and always loves us. Our humanness often gets in the way of the ease of the security of God’s love and His plan for our lives. God wants us to trust Him. He does not want us to have any anxiety, anger, or sadness. He wants us to have joy. Yet, if you have feelings of depression or anxiety, know that it is not your fault. God knows that we will experience unhappy feelings. But, He is ALWAYS working through our pain and sorrow. He ALWAYS loves us!
Father Billy Swan, a priest in the Diocese of Ferns spoke at Newman University Church’s Theology Uncorked last week virtually. He spoke about a booklet he wrote during the start of the pandemic called “Faith and Mental Health”. He explained how the gift of faith and spirituality contribute to a sound mental health and spiritual well-being. I am not going to explain Father Swan’s talk in detail, but I do want to share two of his remarks that I believe can greatly bring light to our lives today.
First, Father Swan brought to light that there are a few things in life that we cannot control. We must do our best and then “let go and let God”. This may seem like an obvious thing to do in our faith, but it is a good reminder. So much of our anger and anxiety comes from the fact that we are trying to control different aspects of our lives. But as faithful sons and daughters of Christ, we are to give up our reigns to God because we are not in control of every part of our lives. Our human brains will never understand the divine nature of how things work in this world. A poem that my mom and dad used to read to me as I was growing up is called ‘Footprints” by Margaret Fishback Powers. It is about a dream that a person had where they were walking along the shore with God. Scenes of their life flashed before their eyes. In each scene, there were two sets of footprints in the sand, but during the lowest and saddest scenes, there was only one footprint. The person was mad at God and said “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.” The LORD replied: “My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” This poem makes me cry because it truly speaks to God’s love. I would not be surprised if God was carrying each one of us right now to give our feet a break from the long journey.
A second more tangible way to brighten our lives is through the act of living a disciplined life. Father Swan says it is important that during this lockdown people maintain discipline — not doing too much or too little of anything. He shared that the bishop that ordained him said to fill the day with four things: study, prayer, leisure (i.e. one’s passions), honest work, and a fifth one that Father Swan added himself is physical activity (i.e. looking after oneself physically and eating healthy). Father Swan said that one should do all of these things properly because if they aren’t done, other things start to drift away. I have been making a list and completing all five of these things every day since I heard Father Swan’s talk. If you are like me and like to see real, tangible change occur, then I recommend making a list every day!
This advice will obviously not take away this pandemic. It will not take away covid restrictions. Faith will not immunize us from mental disabilities. Yet, I think that leaning into our faith can bring us more joy. In fact, Father Billy Swan went so far as to say that “life is better with the gift of faith”, and I’d agree. Jesus will not disappoint. If we sink into despair then there is no future. Our faith is our hope and there is a future because of this hope.
I am praying for all people who feel defeated, depressed, anxious, lonely, unmotivated, or angry. God is always here.
-Katie
