Media Burnout
“With COVID-19 still surrounding us...could our search for answers unintentionally numb our hearts?”
Never before has the world seen disease on this global scale, nor has the world previously united in such global response. I’ve been listening to a variety of streams of influence during this season, some to encourage, others to inform, and, for a while, it was enough to rely on their framework to understand and endure.
But as shelter-in-place elongates, these voices speak again, and again, and again, and can begin to blend into a knotted mess.
What are we to make of all this continual input?
The content remains good and needed, yes, while at the same time, something in me beckons to consider for myself (with God):
How is my soul handling this?
And how am I interpreting the meaning of this?
The impact of COVID-19 isn’t just on our world economy, unemployment, medical science, etc., but also on our souls, especially in how we receive and interpret the vast amounts of information we’re swallowing.
“The 2019-nCoV outbreak and response has been accompanied by a massive ‘infodemic’—an over-abundance of information—some accurate and some not—that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it.”
Not only is it hard to know who to trust, but worse we can spend unneeded energy and emotional process on untrue, partially true, or even just plain unfinished information. Truth is, we don’t know the full story until all this is over. Yet even in uncertainty, our souls are constantly reevaluating and need a steady ground to stand.
Where can we find firm footing for our soul? How do we keep a clear mind? A clean heart?
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”
All this untended-to information can become a sort of clog in the pipe of our soul. Over a lifetime, we cycle through seasons where the questions in our soul bubble up and demand some sort of answer. This season of shelter-in-place only accelerates that need.
The answer for our souls may not be a statistic, an interview, or a specialist’s response. More than likely, the most significant answer we need is between us and God (and those you trust to share that process with you.)
What is my soul intaking? How is it affecting me?
Remember, answers may come in many forms. So pay attention to the language your heart is developing as you process. It may be a poem. A song. A prayer. A dance.
You may even find the answer, for now, is just a clearer question.
But the human heart longs to put words to experience, especially in seasons of shift.
“You may even find the answer, for now, is just a clearer question.”
We need a place to output all the input our soul’s have taken in. Here are five practical outlets you might (re)try:
CREATIVITY…Even if you don’t identify as a “creative,” spending time creating can aid in expressing what is going on within, sometimes before you can put words to it. Refrain from critiquing, let your heart come out. (Painting, collage, sketch, doodle, dance, music, etc.)
JOURNALING OR PRAYER JOURNALING….Take time to write down what has been going through your mind and heart. Take inventory. Notice what comes up without judgment. Seek to understand what is behind your thoughts/emotions. And turn this into a prayer.
INTENTIONAL CONVERSATION with someone you trust….Talk to them about what has been on your heart and mind. Unburden together. Listen and receive.
RESTFUL PRAYER….put on some quiet music, maybe a calming worship album, sit in a comfy chair or lay on the floor and begin to recieve from God for a few minutes. When your mind wanders, just come back to resting with Him.
PLAY or EXERCISE…getting outside, enjoying the sun, moving your body, getting dirt on your shoes, are all considered recreation: the re-creation of the parts of us that are worn, tired, bored, and numb. Get outside, and then reflect on what is coming up in your soul.
