July 23 – Pandemic Causes “Cave Syndrome”

According to a study published in March of 2021 from The American Psychological Association After more than a year of avoiding people, many people are struggling to reenter society. This now common fear of others has been named

“cave syndrome.”

The study reported that 49 percent of surveyed adults anticipated being uncomfortable about returning to in-person interactions when the pandemic ends. It found that 48 percent of those who have received a COVID vaccine said they felt the same way.

Jacqueline Gollan, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University, says adjusting to the new normal, whatever it may be, is going to take time. “The pandemic-related changes created a lot of fear and anxiety because of the risk of illness and death, along with the repercussions in many areas of life,” they still may find it difficult to let go of that fear because they’re overestimating the risk and probability.”

So caves are dark …

You know humans are best off in community.  We have been created to be at our best when we are doing our best with each other.

There is a loneliness epidemic.  The grief of lost relationships is killing our peace, joy, confidence, mental and physical health.

Relationships are so important that in the NT we are told over 50 times to do things for and with each other.

And Jesus said the two most important commandments are to love God with all you have and to love people. 

Loneliness puts us in such a dark place we even wonder if God is still out there.  Its hard to feel His presence when we are not around people who encourage us and love us.

1 John 4:11-12 The apostle John wrote, Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

Are you lonely? 

Are you having a hard time connecting with God?

Get out of your cave.  If you have a church home, get back to church.  Not just once a month or every once in awhile, be an active loving serving part of the church family.

If you are not a Christian or if you don’t have a church home.  Get connected to a God loving people loving church near you.  Come out of your cave. 

My name is Royal and I am pastor of Life Connection Church in Euless, TX.  If you need a loving community to be a part of be my guest on Sunday at 9:30 or 11:00.

No matter who you are, what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you are welcome.  You will be loved and you will learn how much Jesus loves you. 

I hope to see you Sunday.  Or I hope you go back to your church or a church near you.  You can fix your loneliness.  You have to come out of your cave.