By Melody Moore
Have you ever heard of Earthquake Psychosis? I lived in Los Angeles County for a few years. I thought Earthquake Psychosis was a cop out, a way of getting sympathy or getting out of work. Most of us did until 1994. The Northridge quake taught all of us what Earthquake Psychosis felt like.
The initial quake was huge and sudden. It didn’t start small and work it’s way up. It slammed us awake at 4:31 in the morning. A 6.7 earthquake doesn’t sound big to some. But it leveled buildings and killed 60 people in an area that’s built for earthquakes.
The aftershocks, ugh! The aftershocks went on forever. There were tons of them. Sometimes more than a hundred in a single day. You don’t necessarily feel all of them, but your body registers them. Walking across my office at work, the floor left my feet and came back up to meet them. You could hear a collective gasp from every cubicle. Several of the aftershocks were that large.
We couldn’t sleep right. Your body and brain get used to living in protective mode. You only fall so deep into sleep when you’re waiting for the next aftershock that’s going to make you run for the door jamb (strongest spot in the house). Rejuvenating sleep is a thing of the past. You can even feel your immune system slipping because of it.
Soon you can’t think straight. You never feel rested. You can’t find your words. You can’t finish sentences. Things that used to take you 10 minutes now take an hour. Things that used to take an hour can’t get completed at all. Irritable much? Oh yeah. Should you even be driving? Probably not. Welcome to Earthquake Psychosis.
Tell me truly, do you have 2020 Psychosis yet?
I’ve been irritable and restless for a while now. Honestly, I’m not afraid of the virus. (I’m not denying it or it’s severity.) I’m sick of the constant news. I’m beyond sick of the politicization. I’m tired of the riots. (I will support anyone’s right to protest anything.) I’m tired. I’m beat up. My nerves are shot. Everything flying around in this world seems more than negative lately.
I’ve been a teacher for 18 years. We started school three weeks ago, in person and virtual. I’ve seen co-workers frazzled this year that I’ve never seen even a little frazzled. Most of us are drowning in paperwork. Drowning, as in the middle of the Pacific hoping a random boat spots you.
Forbid anything happens in your personal life. (And, oh, has it!)
Regardless of your profession, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. Even as Christians who have a Savior, a God we can trust beyond thoughts, we find ourselves struggling.
Sitting here with my right eyelid twitching as I write, I know that the answer is to keep taking this to my Lord in prayer. But who has time to stop? Stop. We don’t have time to NOT stop.
He knew this was coming. NOTHING is a surprise to Him. He knew when and where everything would happen before the beginning of human time.
We are being tested.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1: 2-4).
We don’t have anything to win or prove. That’s already been handled.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
I can stand. I might have to close my eyes and grit my teeth. I might be crying. My mind might be scream-praying, but I can stand.
“Stand firm, and you will win life” (Luke 21:19).
Our fight is not against people. Try not to get angry with them. They’re victims of the evil one.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12).
Prayer is always the best answer. Prayer is always the best place to go. Nothing will soothe your tattered nerves like prayer. Nothing fosters forgiveness like prayer.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
Father, please bless anyone who reads this and everyone with whom they come into contact with your peace and comfort. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.
