What bothers me most about this virus, other than that it is killing people and causing issues for the communities, is the big deal that people are making about it. We all are living in the same boat, if you will, right now so your complaining will not ease my pain nor the pain of anyone else. Yes, we all have problems. Yes, it is a horrible idea to keep it all pent up. Yes, you need to let it out. Yes, I care about you and I want to help you as much as I can. But no, I do not want to hear your pessimistic comments constantly.
I don't want to hear about how 2020 was the worst year of your life. This is not true for everyone! I know many people make jokes about how this was a great year for introverts, but as a borderline person (both introverted and extroverted tendencies) I can tell you that my extroverted side thrived in this environment as well and grew so much. Then again, yes, I understand that my life may have not been as bad as yours because of my circumstances. I think what bothers me the most about all of this, then, is that everyone assumes that their life is just as miserable as the whole world's. (Again, I understand that the contrary is just as big of an issue, but that is a topic for another time).
I think perspective is important to have in all circumstances, but especially this year. For example, I was able to hang out with one family that lived on a big farm and had lots of outdoor space so we were able to follow the rules and still have fun together. Coincidentally, I had the worst perspective as all of this started as well, but it was so personal for me because "COVID ruined both my Spring Break AND my birthday!" Yet, these friends I had with me helped me change my perspective. They were there for me as I was feeling down around my birthday when all of the COVID jazz started, and they made my year amazing.
Secondly, God was able to show me so many ways that I needed to grow, and He helped me get through them this year. If this year was gone and did not exist, I would not be as prepared for college and life as I am now. Thirdly, as I just mentioned, I had a small enough college that was still able to meet in person and enforce the restrictions with enough interaction that the college experience went well. I was able to further my education and make friends while at it. On top of all of that, I was also able to start a job in the city where my college is. I was able to make friends as well as learn and grow in that community.
On top of all of this negative talk, I am surprised to find out that Christians in leadership positions, especially pastors, seem to like to create sermons based on this topic, talk about this pessimistic year every Sunday, or make a comment and hope that the whole congregation agrees with him. Sometimes when the pastor mentions something like "Who is ready for 2020 to be over? This was the worse year, but 2021 will be better, Lord willing. Can I get an 'Amen'?" I want to stand up and say something like "2020 was amazing- I hope that 2021 is better than 2020, but only because that might be a challenge for the year to complete." I know that the Pastor is not trying to tear down those that thrived during that year, but I struggle to know how to deal with those that have such a negative view of life. The focus needs to be on God and how He can orchestrate everything according to His plan, so we should not look at any of these events as negative circumstances. It bothers me that some Christians are not listening to the circumstances that God has placed in their lives and "counting it all as joy" because, at the worst, it can be considered a trial of many kinds.
Then, what is becoming more popular right now is becoming just as hard for me to deal with. It started around February or March, but everyone- in person, on the news, and on social media decided that they would talk about "Last year today,...." but it was always negative. Like, "last year this time, I watched the movies in the theater for the last time." or "I started my quarantine" or something along those lines. Yes, it is okay to look back on the past years. Yes, it is okay to notice how things have changed. Yes, it is okay to point these out to the world. But, does it need to have a negative look. Instead, try saying "Last year this time I got to spend time with my family and watch a movie in the theaters. Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity." Not everything has a negative truth, nor does it need it.
So all of this to be said, I think it is important that no matter what people went through, we can remember that God will work it all out according to His plan, just like He did through all of 2020. He knows what He is doing, and thank goodness we do not or we might not want to live another day. Yet, we can know that it is all joy, not matter what hardship we go through because it should be done for God's glory. We can know that to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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Lord, please help us all to honor You with our lives. Please give us a new look at the life that you have given us, and help up to be ready for whatever this year brings us. We know that you are in control, and everything will work out perfectly according to Your plan.
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