WISE CHOICES
Christmas or Pandemic? Celebrate or Complain? around us - pandemic, natural disasters, wars - I have often asked God, “What is the purpose of all this? Puede awat na, Lord? There’s so much suffering, I don’t know how much more of this we can take.”
by Faith Nacarato
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or the second year in a row, we are celebrating Christmas season during the COVID-19 pandemic. By now everyone is feeling fatigued from the last 18 months (as of this writing it’s been 535 days of lockdown for us here in Manila). We have all experienced losses – jobs/ livelihoods, loved ones, health, time, relationships, opportunities, the “old normal”. Some may be feeling like they’re at the breaking point and can’t bring themselves to even think about celebrating anything. Looking at everything that has happened (and still happening) 6
In the last couple of years, I’ve experienced anxiety like never before. As a mother of young children, panic and worry are heightened as I lie awake at night thinking about the “what ifs” concerning our kids. Thoughts like, “What if my husband and I both get sick, who will care for the children?” Even reading or watching the daily news brings on feelings of confusion and chaos. Kung nakaka relate ka, I want to encourage you to do three things: Pray, Trust and Declare God’s Truths. Pray. Talk to God and “dump” all your thoughts, worries, and feelings no matter how messy it all sounds. Kahit magulo at hirap intindihin ng iba. It doesn’t have to be formal and coherent. Release all the tension that’s been mounting in your heart and mind. He hears every sound and thought, things we can’t even utter because there are simply no words
