Spiritual PPE
Author: Fr. David Bridges
April 08, 2020
Lately
we have been hearing and learning a great deal about PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment). Many people are making their own face masks and hand sanitizer. We
are taking great precautions for our own safety and that of others.
One of those precautions is to
shelter-in-place. Many folks are stuck at home with children that are out of
school and adults that are temporarily laid-off. Stress levels can get high and
we may experience overwhelming fear and a weakening of our spiritual health.
Our spiritual health affects our bodily health
You may have heard stories of people
recovering from dire health circumstances because they had a positive attitude.
I had an aunt that we always thought St. Peter would have to knock in the head
to take her to heaven, because she was so mean she wouldn’t go on her own.
It can be difficult to recognize
when we fall off into fear and depression. Spiritual illness nearly always
grows unnoticed, until we are so spiritually weak we can’t figure out how to
get out of it, or we may begin to feel comfortable with it. I have known people
with such low self-esteem they would sabotage themselves when things were going
well for them.
What kind of PPE do we have
available for spiritual health? The Apostle Peter wrote in his Second Letter,
“… make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to
perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, kindness; and to kindness, love.” (2
Peter 1:5-7, NIV)
Notice the word, “effort”. There is
work involved in developing this PPE. It requires focus and intention. If we
want to be “more like Jesus”, we have to sacrifice the effort necessary to
develop and deepen these qualities. Peter goes on in the next 2 verses to say
these qualities will “keep you from being ineffective and unproductive” in your
faith.
It may seem difficult to be
productive during this corona virus stay-in. One thing we can do more of is
practice building on the qualities Peter recommends. If your spiritual health
is weak, it will be more difficult for you to focus on spiritual things. It
will take a very intentional approach. There
are many daily devotionals available on-line. Many churches are live-streaming
Services. Study groups are meeting in Zoom. These and many other tools are available
to kick-start your renewed spiritual journey.
Time, if improperly allocated, can
be our worst enemy. Or, it can be a blessed bounty of opportunity. Work on your
Spiritual PPE and when it is safe to meet in groups, get back to church
fired-up and ready with a new spiritual outlook. Stay in, stay safe, stay
connected, and be blessed.
Blessings
and Peace to You All,
Fr.
David+
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