Processing a Crisis
Let’s Talk about 2020. This has been an immensely challenging year for all of us.
In March our entire way of life was disrupted by a global virus:
Schools were closed
Universities were closed
Homeschooling became the new education system
Parents became teachers and principles
Work from home became our new office
Grocery store shelves were empty
Sports were cancelled
Gyms were closed
Salons were closed
Shelter-In-Place entered into our vocabulary
Disneyland was shut down
Zoom became our new norm
Covid-19 left each of us fearful and anxious
We all quickly became aware that we were living through a crisis. So many emotions were felt as we began to process this crisis: stress, anxiety, fear, sadness, and a sense of being overwhelmed by the moment.
A crisis by definition –––– is an event in life that brings disruption. Sometimes that disruption is anticipated. Sometimes that disruption is unanticipated. This crisis was unanticipated. There was no roadmap for how to process this new reality. We have been learning as we go.
2020 has been a crisis unlike anyone has experienced before. What started as a health crisis turned into a series of crisis: health crisis, financial crisis, social crisis, and a racial crisis.
How do we process this moment?
How do we remain healthy mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually in this moment?
Recently, I asked myself these questions: How did Jesus walk through a crisis? And how can we follow the way of Jesus in a crisis?
I knew this would give me a pathway to process this moment in a healthy manner.
The Garden of Gethsemane was Jesus’ crisis moment. Jesus was in a small garden overlooking the Temple in Jerusalem. He went to this location to process His impending death in prayer.
Jesus did three things in this crisis moment.
First –––– He did not minimize the moment.
“Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38 NIV
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:44 NIV
Jesus was overwhelmed, and felt such deep mental and emotional anguish that He began to sweat drops of blood. Jesus did not minimize the moment with some spiritual cliche.
A crisis is hard. Hard things are hard. We have to honestly feel and process our emotions in a moment of crisis. This is a healthy response.
Second –––– He sought the help of HIs Father.
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 NIV
Jesus relied on His Father in His moment of crisis. He knew He needed spiritual support and guidance.
We need God in a crisis. God is near to the brokenhearted. God is near to the person who is overwhelmed and anxious. We need to lean into God’s support and guidance in this moment.
Third –––– He sought the support of His friends.
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.” Matthew 26:36-37 NIV
Jesus, the most spiritual and healthy human in history, did not try to walk through His crisis alone. He brought His closest friends with him. And He asked them to support Him through prayer and proximity.
Isolation is never the answer in a crisis. We need friends. We need community. We were created to find support and hope through human relationships.
Jesus offers us a path through this complex and challenging moment: being honest about what we are feeling, praying and finding help in God, and finding support in community.
I hope this helps you create some clarity and help around processing this moment in a healthy way. We are all trying to figure out a path forward. This moment has been hard for all of us.
Keep going. Don’t lose hope.
Much love,
Wesley, Founder + Speaker