The Other Virus

Two viruses are plaguing our world. Both are invisible, at pandemic levels, highly contagious and toxic.

The first is COVID-19.

The second is fear.

As a society, we are hearing megabytes of scary, tragic information on the coronavirus every day. From personal hygiene practices, social distancing and school/workplace closures to the increasing economic hardships, the rising number of those infected and the escalating mortality count -- it can be difficult to find and maintain inner peace and hope.

Operating as a cohort to the coronavirus, fear has also covered the globe and infected people, but with a faster and broader reach of contamination. Attacking the ‘respiratory system’ of the mind, threats of illness and uncertainty of the future are stealing the breath from our hope, joy, relationships and dreams. Like COVID-19, there is no vaccine to stop the spread of this dis-ease.  

I believe there are two purposes for fear in our lives. The first is alertness. When confronted with challenging news or situations, healthy fear rallies our entire being to identify and assess the present threat. Then, fear moves us into action by either distancing ourselves from the threat or by moving to eliminate it. 

However, if these purposes get twisted or polarized, fear can become antagonistic. The results? Healthy-awareness slides either into an obsession or denial, while healthy action derails into over-reaction or slides into paralysis. 

So, what should be our response?

While the medical community races to create a vaccine that will eradicate the coronavirus, each of us own the responsibility to uproot fear and restore a resilient peace within our own lives. Here are a few ways to vaccinate your mind against toxic fear.

First, guard your thoughts. Change the channel from 24-hour news and listen to music or watch some reruns of FRIENDS. Listening to 'fear on repeat' is emotionally draining. Although awareness is great, obsession is unhealthy. Give your mind a vacation!

Second, talk with someone. Worry and anxiety get stronger when kept in the dark corners of our minds. But honest and open conversation brings toxic thoughts into the light, draining its venom and lifting its weight off our souls.  

Third, don’t isolate. While ‘social-distancing’ is the strategy we’ve been given to curb the spread of the coronavirus, do not allow ‘physical distancing’ to become ‘social isolation’. Maintain a healthy distance, but keep your loved ones close via texts, calls, social media and FaceTime. ‘Isolation’ is torture; choose not to participate. We all need each other to get through this tough season.

Fourth, speak words of encouragement. It is easy to feel sluggish and weak when fearful thoughts and feelings are racing through our minds. However, we can fight wrong thoughts with ‘right words.’ Your voice is powerful! Stand tall, smile big and speak words of hope over your family, friends, co-works… and yourself!

Lastly, as a person of faith, I must also mention a fifth response, prayer. It is amazing how a simple moment of prayer and meditation can reset the emotional state of our souls. No, there’s nothing magical about it. But there is an unexplainable peace that flows in the recesses of our hearts when we talk to our caring, listening and willing to respond, Heavenly Father. Novices are welcome; no experience is necessary.

Is there a silver lining?

Despite these dark days, COVID-19 has unwittingly blessed us with a true gift. You see, it was only after the virus breached China’s borders and reached unbiasedly into all other nations, ethnicities, races, genders, ages, faiths, political affiliations and socioeconomic groups that the global community’s attitude shifted from casual concern to serious commitment in destroying our, now mutual, nemesis.

In effect, COVID-19 has delivered to us the very gift that will be the cause for its eradication - unity. Now, many of those who were previously divided over policy, politics and ideology are finding room, even if only for a moment, to see ‘the other’ as a partner in the war on this pandemic. This newly expressed oneness of caring, reaching and serving gives all of us reason to hope, smile and to keep on fighting. So, whether unity proves to be a silver lining or a silver bullet, we will prevail.

Article published in Orlando Sentinel: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-op-fear-in-time-of-coronavirus-20200330-tfsjzpuprbanrlwkni7r5uqhee-story.html 

Faith & Fun... in Church?

I recently became very aware of something about myself. I discovered that the people I most enjoy spending time with are those who smile, laugh and enjoy life. No big surprise, right? Truth is, their smiles lift my atmosphere and their laughs soon become mine. Laughter, humor and fun are some of the most wonderful, infectious and contagious 'medicines' in the world.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength."  Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)

It's sad to say, but "joy and laughter" are not a standout aspect of the Church's reputation in today's society. Think about it. If you asked a non-churched or de-churched person to describe their impression of "church," my guess is "exciting, energetic and fun" wouldn't make their 'Top 10' list. Naturally, I don't believe Church should be reduced to a comedy club where we preach nothing more than a good-humor message; humor doesn't convict a person's heart, only the love and power of Jesus can do that. However, I am convinced that our message of truth doesn't have to be delivered in a stiff, dry and somber package either. 

Here's my point... "faith and fun" are a powerful combination in the Church, because humor is not the enemy of sincerity. The Gospel is a serious matter and is not to be taken lightly, but this message of Jesus is also Good News, hope and life - a message quite fitting for a few smiles.

Here are a few reasons why I believe the Church must stop treating humor, joy and fun as an accessory, and start embracing it as an ingredient for life-changing ministry.

1. Reputation
     It's sad when "Angry Birds" can double as a nickname for many Christians! The truth is, 
     smiles and laughter quickly begin disarming the reputation of "angry Christians". Since a 
     smile is one of the most powerful non-verbal expressions you own, use it regularly to 
     give Christianity a facelift... one smile at a time.

2. Learn
     Educators have known for years that humor creates a comfortable atmosphere that 
     makes it easier to learn, change and retain information. Wouldn't it be great if the 
     congregation still remembered the pastor's Sunday message on Wednesday? A little 
     humor makes a big difference!

3. Attraction
     The same way laughter warms and attracts the hearts of a man and woman in a dating 
     relationship, we have discovered that laughter in the church also begins destroying 
     'anti-church' attitudes and warms the heart of the unchurched visitor. When this 
     happens, walls come down and the heart begins to open-up - making the visitor more 
     receptive to the church's message. Yes, Holy Spirit is the One that 'draws' a man's heart, 
     but we don't need to make his job any harder! Amen?

4. Connection
     One of the quickest ways to make individuals feel part of the congregation is to include 
     them (involuntarily) through smiles and laughter. As people participate together in the
     service, through something as simple as smiles and laughter, there is a feeling of 
     connection and belonging that touches their hearts.

5. Energy

     One major element that laughter and smiles deliver to every worship service is energy. 

     I am convinced that Church should be the most invigorating, energizing atmosphere a 

     person has experienced all week! Put a smile on their face and you'll deliver energy to 

     their heart.

6. Authenticity  
     When the pastor owns the confidence and ability to laugh at self and life, that joy-
     filled approach has a curious way of communicating "authenticity" (genuine, real, true 
     legitimate, valid) with the audience. Earning the listener's trust is critical to making 
     maximum, lasting impact in their lives. 

7. Sincerity 
     Authenticity is about the messenger; sincerity is about the message. Authenticity 
     relates to the messenger's believability, but sincerity (free from pretense, deceit or 
     hypocrisy) describes the message's purity. When a trustworthy speaker delivers a pure 
     and uncompromised message, life-change is irrefutable.

I'm sure there are many other benefits to a joy-filled, laughter-frirendly worship experience, but these are the stand-out benefits we have experience at Free Life Chapel that keeps 'faith & fun' a dynamic-duo for ministry. (Here's a link to "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" - a fun music video we filmed at Free Life Chapel to end a teaching series, "Dropping the F*Bomb"! The feedback from the un-churched viewers was overwhelming - "Cool to see a church that actually knows how to have fun!")

Many years ago, Mary Poppins (the storybook character) taught us a wonderful ministry truth when she said, "a spoonful of sugar, helps the medicine go down". The sugar (humor, laughter) was never meant to replace the medicine (Gospel), but it is given to accompany it, so the sick (humanity) will receive the medicine... and be made whole!