The Invisible Enemy…

The following post is a little different from my typical postings. I am like many of you – amazed and confused at all the change that is taking place in our world right now. While I understand it from a healthcare point of view, I still struggle to accept it. And I can’t keep from comparing it to how Satan works in our lives as well – the invisible enemy. In the following post the “invisible enemy” represents our current physical state, but it could just as well represent our spiritual state. During this time we are given the gift of time and space to slow down and reprioritize. I pray that we remember to keep our eyes focused on the one who is in control as we struggle to regain and reshape a new normal.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

In control of nothing.  This is the thought that runs through my head as I’ve washed my hands for the umpteenth time now.  We went from washing our hands to washing our groceries and everything in between in the span of a moment.  Our world has changed at warp speed, and it seems that every day brings another version of normal.  In the midst of the chaos, I paused for a moment in the realization that we are at the mercy of an invisible invader.  For decades we have built up our military and taken steps to protect ourselves from an enemy we assumed would take human form.  While we were watching for the enemy to approach, it slipped right through our fingers and invaded our world unseen.  This invisible enemy has consumed our airwaves, our economy, and our freedoms.  It has created such a sense of unease that people have abandoned rational logic and been pushed to hoarding goods in the name of safety and security.  This invisible enemy has crossed borders and traversed oceans to get to us.  Who could have imagined that this enemy possessed the power to clear arenas of fans, prevent families from gathering or celebrations from taking place.  It has lowered the mighty and elevated the humble of our society.  Our heroes have become the healthcare workers, truck drivers and janitors of the world.  The spotlight has been shown on the importance of teachers and brought to light just how much effort goes into every bit of learning a child receives.  We curse the enemy for the loss of life.  We struggle to understand the loss of income to this unseen but largely present enemy.  We just didn’t see it coming.  So now we seek to walk in this new normal.  A new way of being since the reset button was pushed.  What will our world look like once the enemy recedes?  Will we continue to aimlessly wash our hands every two minutes and hesitate to shake hands or give hugs when we emerge from our homes?  This invisible enemy has exuded its power to alter our typical behaviors and strong-armed us into confinement, but we cannot let it seep into our souls.  For this is the place where hope lives.  Hope is our greatest asset with which to beat down this enemy.   It is the fuel to the fire within us that reminds us to never give up.  To never stop smiling.  To never stop persisting in our efforts to not only survive, but to thrive.  Thrive where we stand next to our families, our friends and neighbors.  This invisible enemy has stopped us in our tracks, but may it not stop us in our journey.  History will take note of this invisible enemy and our response to it.  One day our grandchildren will listen to our stories of the invisible enemy.  I pray when that time comes the theme of our story will not be about the invader, but rather, the resiliency of a people who triumphed in the face of adversity.  Through isolation, illness and death may our story tell of our fight and how we came out on the other side a better people, a more resilient people.  A people united to do better and be better.  There is no doubt that this invisible enemy will refine us into a changed people.  Only the future knows the answer of what today will bring.  So as you sit on your couches in your homes among the chaos of this pervasive enemy, know that you are doing your part to win the war.  You are entrusting yourself to the hope of a better tomorrow.  A tomorrow that believes in the hope of today.

Faithfully yours,

A Nurse