Monday, May 4, 2020

Please be kind

These are all (paraphrased) headlines from the past three days:
  • Austin, TX: A park ranger was pushed into a lake when he tried to enforce social distancing.
  • Stillwater, OK: The mandatory face-mask order for customers was rescinded within the first 24 hours due to violence, verbal abuse, and one incidence of a threat with a firearm against employees who tried to enforce the mandate.
  • California: Revolts on beaches and in communities.
  • Michigan: Armed protestors, confederate flags, and swastikas
As several states ease into the next phase of living with the coronavirus, the stress and frustration of the past several months are bringing out the worst in some people. Although we've also seen it bring out the best, I would like to focus our attention and prayers on those having issues.
     This is a difficult life we've found ourselves in. People have cabin fever, no money, and no place to go or to vent. So, those workers who are part of the first wave of reopening the economy are getting the brunt of people's frustration. After being cooped up for so long, they're done being told what to do. According to protestors' signs, many of them would rather catch the virus than put up with any more of their freedoms being limited.
     Even if they are the ones to catch the virus, chances are they will also share it with up to 3 people each - innocent people who didn't want the virus. Think of the mental and emotional health of those who have been bearing the impact of the virus all this time; the front line workers who have been working tirelessly and who still don't see an end in sight. All of these people need our prayers.
     We need patience and kindness and understanding more than ever right now. We need to pray without ceasing. We need to let go of pride and egos and think of each other and how our actions affect other people.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger 
and clamor and slander 
be put away from you, 
along with all malice. 
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, 
forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for everyone to treat each other with kindness. Let's pray for patience, understanding, and love toward one another.

I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power


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