COVID-19 and The Healing Power of Presence

“It took a Pandemic to wake me up to the power of Presence in my life. See 3 tips to experience your own awakening.”

By Philip K. Hardin, MDiv, LMFT, LPC

By Philip K. Hardin, MDiv, LMFT, LPC

I have experienced these days of the Pandemic as scary, stressful, and disruptive. Given to my “False Self” ways of coping, I invite rescue, I complain, and I retreat. I beg for someone to take the pain away.

YES! I can be very immature and miserable to be around when I am stressed out and scared.

This pandemic has pushed me to my worst survival strategies. I hate when I take such a detour from the road God guides me on, and I find myself on some path that is chaotic, anxiety-producing, and dark.

You may have found yourself in some form of anxiety and fear. No doubt these are strange days. No one in my lifetime has ever seen or experienced anything like this virus plague.

For some, these days are even traumatic. You may have symptoms of trauma, such as extreme anxiety, anger, sadness, survivor’s guilt, or PTSD. You may be experiencing problems with sleep or physical pain, turbulence in your personal or professional relationships, and even feel a diminished sense of self-worth due to the overwhelming amount of stress.

No doubt that this pandemic is traumatic for many.  

I lead a Men’s Coaching Group each week in Jackson, MS. More than six months ago, I planned our current series entitled,

“Into the Wilderness: Understanding and Embracing the Dark Times of Your Life.” –Talk about timing! (see www.menstable.com to watch the series).

We have been marching through the series, following and learning from the wilderness journey of the Israelites as they crossed the Red Sea and began the 40 years of wandering before crossing the Jordan River into the promised land.

When we began, how could we have ever known the whole world would be in a wilderness experience due to the coronavirus?

When the children of Israel were in the middle of their wilderness journey In Exodus 25, God instructs Moses to build a Tabernacle as a visible means for the people to be reminded of God’s presence. God says, “construct a Sanctuary for me so that I can live among them.”

God wants His presence to be seen and felt.

Later in John 1:14, Jesus is described as the Tabernacle, as he came – “he dwelt (tabernacled) among us.”

And, in 2 Corinthians 10:14, Paul describes us as the “temple or tabernacle of the living God.”

We have the living Jesus offering His love to us and through us.

During this pandemic, we need the healing power of the incarnational love of Jesus more than ever. And, in a time of social distancing mandated by governmental powers, we need to experience and practice the incarnational presence of Jesus.

Here are three suggestions that have helped me:

1. Music

I am listening to music more than ever—all kinds. I have committed to stop listening to so much TV news and listen to more music. I have created several playlists that have been helpful.

Visit www.menstable.com and see the playlist we created for times of suffering entitled Into the Wilderness. *also on Spotify

Music brings balance to the brain and brings peace that shapes my neurochemistry. I am using music to enhance and stimulate my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Music generates a positive outlook to life, increases our ability to think, alleviates stress and anxiety, and fight temptations toward addictions.

God has always used music to direct, comfort, and encourage his children, just look at the Psalms! I am discovering afresh the voice of God through music.

2. Contemplative Bible Reading

I am reading and journaling every morning before I start working on anything. I am feeding on the many different translations of the Bible as each one strikes a different chord within me.  It helps me feel the words, rather than just gain information.

God is using these words to teach me how to rest in His promises, convict me of my False Self strategies, heal me from my guilt and shame afresh, and restore the intimate relationship with Him that satisfies my hunger for connection.

I am listening to His voice without looking for rescue or choosing compulsive behavior.

3. Suffering

We must lean into the pain in order to feel God’s presence. After all, as Christians, a large part of our new identity in Christ is identifying with Christ’s suffering. “No pain, No gain!”

I can honestly say, I am feeling the presence of Jesus more than I have in a long time during these days of uncertainty.

Through music, Contemplative Bible Reading & Journaling, and acknowledging my own suffering, there is a renewed space and place for Jesus in my life. I feel his “tabernacle presence” all around me.

Hope you can do the same! Try it! May you find peace and comfort as you do.

Phil Hardin works as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with Hardin Life Resources practicing in both Jackson, MS and Fairhope, AL.

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