Five years ago, my wife and I ate at a favorite local restaurant and saw a movie, The Invisible Man. It was an excellent film about an invisible enemy. And speaking of invisible enemies…
COVID-19 was spreading. Rapidly. We heard on the way home that all public gathering places–including restaurants and movie theatres–would be closing. Immediately.
It was our last normal day.
An invisible enemy had attacked, and isolation was the only defense we had. A vaccine would not be available for another year-and-a-half. Unless we stopped its spread immediately, this virulent virus would kill untold millions.
It would be hard, no question about it. People would suffer. Companies would fold. Jobs would be lost. Bills would go unpaid. The economy would lose trillions. And yet…
Humans are the best—and the worst—species on earth. We’re the only ones capable of destroying it, and the only ones capable of saving it. Whales and cockroaches might survive an asteroid, but only humans are working on out how to divert one away from our planet.
Ironically, in the midst of the shut-down, online “communities,” much maligned as sources of fake news and shallow friendships, became the only communities we had.
And so, humans stepped up. Many used the internet to become purveyors of hope. How? By breaking into others’ isolation. In a world full of shut-ins, they realized, people had be remembered, sought out, listened to and encouraged — to be de-isolated.
That need didn’t end with the pandemic. Depression and anxiety have since reached all time highs.
So let us continue to gather around both literal and virtual fires, to tell stories of survival and healing. To tell stories of hope. Why? Because hope is more virulent than fear, and it can spread faster than any virus…
If we pass it on.
People are afraid of far too many things these days. It’s sad, but it’s the truth.
It is indeed, Susanne.
Excellent encouragement on hope, Mitch, thank you. Your wording is powerful.
My privilege, Dana.
And we have the greatest source of hope ever imagined in our Lord and Saviour (🇨🇦), don’t we Mitch?
Yes, we do, Gail.
I started blogging once a week during COVID as a way to connect with people by writing about ordinary stuff and my reasons for hope. The connections I’ve made are priceless (for instance I got to know the world famous Mitch Teemley 😉). Every day now I read several posts; some inspire, some make me chuckle, and some teach me something new.
COVID did change everything, but not every change was bad.
Yes to online connections! And I was able to write two “Covid books” during those first couple of years! Hope lives! God’s hope lives forever!
Very true, Rob. And I got to meet the world famous Robert Frohlich!
Inspirational and very wise words. Despite the end of the pandemic we continue having lots of zoom meetings and rarely meeting in person. We are doing it not for pandemic now, but because we got used to it. Zoom is a great tool in many respects and it is saving time and driving but we are overusing it.
My writing group did the same, Thomas.
I was jus’ working on a commentary along the same vein. You’ve helped me remeber a few things I had misplace in my memory hole. Thanks.
My pleasure, Tom.
Well said, Mitch!
Thank you, Liz!
You’re welcome, Mitch!
Amen to that, keep hope alive
Yes to online connections! And I was able to write two “Covid books” during those first couple of years! Hope lives! God’s hope lives forever!
Amen, Joy!
hola cora reply
Mitch, what a beautiful message of hope! Yes! Let’s pass it on! God bless you, dear friend!
And you as well, dear Karla!
But can we win against the latest invisible enemy (the spread of hate) with words only ?
To quote Winston Churchill, “Never give up!”
✊️
This part:
“Humans are the best—and the worst—species on earth. We’re the only ones capable of destroying it, and the only ones capable of saving it. Whales and cockroaches might survive an asteroid, but only humans are working on out how to divert one away from our planet.”
We are the worst and the best of this world.
Yep!
Hope sets the fear aside
I’m reading a book right now where the author took time to write all the things that won’t be in heaven. The one that surprised me was Hope. Hope won’t be needed in Heaven because all our hopes will be fulfilled. The one thing that carried us through the worst thing won’t be the thing needed for the greatest thing we’ll ever know. Come Lord Jesus.
Amen, Debi.
AMEN, brother! You are practicing exactly what you preach with this amazing blog of yours. Let the “candle lighters” flourish and the “darkness cursers” dwindle!
Amen to that, my Anonymous friend.
this reminds me of the saying, “don’t tell God how big your fear is– tell your fear how big your God is!” <3
Exactly, Ren!
Thanks for this uplifting post, Mitch. We can always use a positive spin on the good side of humanity. I’m fortunate to experience it firsthand very often, and especially in face to face encounters.
Glad to hear that, Terry.
Great post, Mitch. Inspiring words – there is a lot more greatness humanity has to give. You say it well, “… and Humans are the best—and the worst—species on earth. We’re the only ones capable of destroying it, and the only ones capable of saving it.” I am optimistic 😊
Me too, Dalo. Despite the evil humans can sink to, I choose to focus on the good they can and frequently do rise to.
When life seems hopeless, the online world steps up.
Hey Mitch, I started blogging in 2019, when it all still seemed normal, no threats, no virus, only the sense that everything was fine. When the COVID virus became real, I was not afraid of it, I didn’t realize what kind of a halt it would bring on the world, we were all captive to it. Blogging about what I believe has been a great opportunity for me to fine tune my thoughts and perspectives. But I also hope it has been a source of strength to those who were affected by COVID. I would love to show you some things I saw but it was very large, and too large to post here. But, you can find it in Psalm 91.
Blessings Mitch.
And to you, as well, my friend. “The shelter of the Most High” psalm is beautiful, Pete, and such a beacon of hope.
Those early days of the pandemic were so hard and we’re still seeing the trauma of those years today.
Social connection is so important and more so than ever in bringing the world together and in hopeful ways.
It can certainly be an invaluable tool, Ab–in the hands of those who use it responsibly.
https://personal4379.wordpress.com/2025/05/11/3silent-symptoms-your-kidneys-might-be-in-trouble-before-any-test-reveals-it/This is not a free advertising site.
Excellent!
Thank you, Maria.
You are one of several regular bloggers who offer me a bit of respite, peace, and yes, hope, each week. Thank you for your presence here, Mitch.
The privilege is mine, Karen. <3
Well said.
Thank you, Gerry.
Hope will always have the strongest power. It keeps us going, no matter what.
Fear is natural, but it should not control us. We are the ones who choose hope, not because it is easy, but because it is right. And when we share that hope, we become invincible.
please send that message to the newscasters who nightly relay one horrific story after the other. we are bombarded with tragic news. all the time. i want to hear the good news. well, okay. i guess they’ll have to stop with weather then too, huh?
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