The Bible On Trial

Cabin Fever~

For many of us during this time of COVID-19 staying at home and away from people can be a very difficult proposition. We are "stuck" with our family members and unable to move about our lives unencumbered by 'social' distancing (it is actually anti-social, if you aske me). The stress and strain can be mind boggeling, and can lead to uncharacteristic interactons that when viewed later are regretable. This is the result of being cloistered, that is "being kept away from the outside world". Often in our modern world this can lead to the emotional reaction listed above, which can be defined as 'Cabin Fever'!

A 'Cloister' is actually defined as a monastary or nunnery, and for the religious separatist this is a  good thing. A nun or a Friar spends their life in solitary isolation, praying, meditating and for the most part working silence. For most of us this would be an intollerable life, but for some people that are heavily introverted this can be heaven.

Humans are not designed by God to be solitary. At the very least we are designed to live in partnership with our spouse, and develop relationships inside and outside of marriage that allow us to gain a picture of God that is defined by unity, as seen in John 17, the Pastoral Prayer of Jesus. It is very difficult to develope unity of spirit when you have no physical contact or close interaction with those you love.

Take heart in the fact that our current solitary life will eventually give way to a more dynamic interaction, both human and heavenly. We can now see how important having other people in our lives is, and we will never again take our family, friends and even strangers for granted. 

As we cherish these current moments of solitude, as did Jesus when He went off by Himself to pray, let us also cherish the unity that the Holy Spirit brings in the fellowship of the discovery of Truth.