Happy Saturday... I hope that you rested well last night and are ready to enjoyed a blessed and relaxing day. Today is World Mental Health Day. It comes at a time, when the world looks completely different than it did at the beginning of 2020. Our lives have been drastically changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the current President, and the senseless murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and unfortunately several others. The past seven months have been challenging for families, adapting to the save at home orders, physical distancing, virtual learning due to schools shutting down. Coupled with staggering numbers of individuals losing their jobs due to businesses closing at a rate this country has not experienced since the Great Depression. The stress and strain on our first responders, health-care workers, police, EMT's, firefighters and others such as hospital janitorial and food services staff, who were expected to continue to provide care in these difficult circumstances, coupled with the fear of going home and exposing family and friends to the very dangerous disease. Nursing homes were literally closed down to the outside world in efforts to slow the spread of the awful virus which preyed heavily on this vulnerable community. People unable to see their mothers, fathers, grandparents, continues to take a toll on many. So many deaths. Over 210K people in the United States have loss their lives to this terrible virus and because of the safety precautions, the grieving process has been altered drastically. We are not able to offer the comfort of hugs and extended times spent just comforting those who are grieving. In most states, no more than 100 people can attend a service, which means many have to offer support from a distance. Yes, the grieving process has changed. Also, most hospitals no longer allow visitors, so many have to suffer alone without the comfort have having a spouse, children or even church leaders there to hold your hand and offer assurance. Sadly, many have passed away without being able to say good-bye. For those like me, who live alone, it has been challenging. We are human beings and we were created for each other. Our bodies need the touch of another. I have to admit, I miss being hugged. I have never gone this long in my life with being hugged by someone. All of these things that I listed and many others have had lastly effects on all of us and for those with mental health conditions, their experience is multiplied 100X worst than before.
Today is World Mental Health Day and I just wanted to share a message of hope and to ask everyone to do me a huge favor. Below I shared a few songs that I hope will encourage your spirit, but I also want to remind you that JESUS LOVES YOU!!! On those days, when you feel alone and unloved remember, "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16 KVJ JESUS LOVES YOU!!! Yes, these are troubling times, but we must remember, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God...JESUS LOVES YOU!!! Yes, you may have to go through the storm, you may have to experience pain and loss. You many have to cry, but remember, "For even if the mountains walk away, and the hills fall to pieces, My love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.” The God who has compassion on you says so." Isaiah 54:10 MSG
JESUS LOVES YOU!!! I pray that this encourages you and reminds you that you are much stronger than you think you are.
Now, what I need you to do and share this message of encouragement and hope with someone else. We are STRONGER TOGETHER. Be intentional and reach out to someone that you know is having an extremely hard time dealing with the pandemic and just the state of the world today. One small gesture can mean the difference between life and death.
May you have an amazing day and a wonderful weekend. Remember, stay well, stay safe, wash your hands frequently, wear your masks, practice physical distancing, keep praying, keep praising and BE KIND.
I love you with the love of the Lord,
Evang. Carolyn
Shared from Youtube
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