It is very difficult to be involved with people and not take on their emotions. Emotions connect us, you know.
The struggle is that our brokenness gravitates to those feelings that feed brokenness, sinking into the couch as anxiety and fear convince us they’re the best Netflix has to offer.
While a virus may be infectious, fear and anxiety, doubly.
Remember, though, so is joy.
Joy that overlooks suffering is the tomb without the cross. It comes across hypocritical and disconnected from the emotional reality that makes us, us.
Suffering is the joy pendulum swung away, destined to return soon.
But suffering absent joy is a whirlpool of depression, a stone not rolled away, a still-dead Jesus. It’s the alternate ending to Revelation 22, missing that restored Eden and the Hero returning soon.
Never neglect the reality and pain of suffering nor seek to calm it with a joy bandaid. But ditto to ignoring joy. Daily divine doses of those three letters work wonders no matter the size of loss.