The book of Corinthians in the Bible was written by Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus. When my husband and I got married we had a reading from this book. Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud. Love does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (JB 😊)

So many people are talking about the stress and worry of what is going on in our country and our world right now. I talk to people in my practice who tell me they have developed anxiety about the way people are treating each other. They tell me they have stopped watching the news because it is too upsetting. I have personally felt this way too. I am torn between staying involved in what is going on in my community, my city, my country…and being able to have calmness in my heart and to sleep at night.

I know this love that Paul speaks about, because I am a wife to the most forgiving and loving man I have ever known. I know it because I am a mother to a daughter who I would protect first, before myself. I know because of my son-in-law who I love as part of my family. I know because of the indescribable love for my grand-daughter. And I am very loved by the man I call Dad. (see previous blog).

So, what do we do with our fears and worries? What do we do when we see every day on social media that political beliefs have turned into disrespect among friends and family members? What do we do when we see that the description of love given by Paul is not reflected in the world around us?

Comfort yourself in this knowledge. We cannot change other people. We cannot control our politicians. We cannot stop war, disease, death, poverty. We cannot stop hatred. But we as individuals can show love to other people and remember the life of the One who created us ALL and showed us clearly how to love.

Gayla Partin, LISW-CP, Counseling Sumter, LLC, 11-18-2018