There is a tendency in the Christian tradition towards stoicism, as in the proverbial British “stiff upper lip” or the Norwegian mantra “det kan bli verre”. (It could be worse) So while I agree that various trials can be seen as tests there are times, such as the one we are enduring now, when one is simply tired and could care less if faith is proved less precious than gold or not. “It is what it is” only works for so long and eventually “My God why have you forsaken me” is a more appropriate response to the trouble that multiplies with every passing day. But it is precisely during uncertain and anxious times such as these that we are called to rejoice in and rely on the living hope that is kept for us and not by us. Kept for us and not by us this inheritance of hope is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. That means in practical terms we can live through a difficult day or week or month or even, God forbid, a year, and not add to the weight of our troubles by blaming the failure of faith. The difficulty we face in this time of quarantine is that we were created for community where we support, encourage and embrace one another with the love of God. So while we have become more creative in order to remain connected truth to be told I am longing for more than a virtual hug.
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