A Word of Encouragement

Are you feeling tired? Perhaps a bit listless and emotionally up and down? One reason might be culture shock. I’ve done some reading recently from people who have lived in other countries and it’s interesting to see the parallels they’ve drawn between the rapid changes we have all been through and the overwhelmingness of moving to a new culture. If you are like me and struggling with a bit of fatigue, low mood and irritability one reason might be this culture shock – our rapid movement from a seemingly safe and comfortable world to a pandemic-infected and uncertain world. And what’s one of the core components of culture shock? Anxiety.

It’s true that compared to many, we are faring remarkably well in Australia and certainly we can give thanks for that. But because this is a crisis well beyond our control and with so many unknowns, I’d suggest some anxiety is a pretty normal human reaction. And that’s true for all of us I think –people of faith and none alike. Indeed, although as a Christian I have a great confidence that God will keep His promises and one day renew our broken world, even so, I don’t know in any detail about what will happen next week or next month. Feeling some anxiety over these unknowns as they come – that is simply a part of what it is to be human, faith or no faith.

But as a person of faith, it there any good news from God for us in a time of anxiety?

Well, yes, I think there is. It’s this: you are not alone. See, that’s the lie anxiety and fear always try to tell us, isolating us, having us believe no one else is having this struggle and no one else feels like I do. It’s one of the reasons why we think we need to hide our feelings and don’t reach out for help. But the truth is we aren’t alone. In fact, in this instance, the whole world is in this together! We are given each other as a gift to lean on whatever life is throwing at us.

And on top of that, God also offers us himself. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” In every struggle, he invites us to reach out to him, to unload on him and find rest in him.

In these strange times, anxiety is bound to be affecting us all to a greater or lesser degree. So, can I encourage you not to carry that weight alone? Reach out to those you love, ask for help when you need it and support one another as you each share your load. And in your anxiety know the invitation of Jesus – his help and his rest is only ever a prayer away.

Rev Karen Reid

Girton Chaplain