This might seem like a topic that was popular to talk about a year ago, but in all honesty, there has never been a better time to reach out and encourage those working on the front lines of the pandemic in the medical field, schools, counselors, those in government, etc.
No matter what you experience personally every day, there are still a lot of people suffering around us. There are still people working hard who did not sit down during 2020, but pushed through in their professions, many working overtime. As the virus continues to be an issue around the world, how can we continue to motivate those most involved? Today I want to share five ways to encourage frontline pandemic workers.
1. Keep Praying for Them
It is vital that we continue to ask God to sustain and support those working so hard. The professionals and their families have sacrificed so much to help protect others and minister to them in hard times. They need the prayers of the people of God. The Lord hears our prayers and He works. He is ultimately in control, but He invites us into what He is accomplishing. 1 John 5:14 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."
2. Bring Them Meals
We might think of a meal train as something offered to those grieving or sick. However, providing meals for families who are working tirelessly can be a huge blessing. In all honesty, they are probably worn out and could use a night off from cooking. A wonderful way that we can bless the frontline workers is making a personal connection and providing a meal to a person or a family. God can use food to show His provision and care for others. Psalm 107:9 “For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
3. Send Encouraging Messages
We have the opportunity to use the gift of words to motivate others. Whether you want to write a formal letter, send a text message or call them, telling a frontline worker how much you appreciate them and their hard work is encouraging. Sometimes we assume that people know we are grateful for what they do, but many times these hard workers go under noticed and need a word of positivity to keep going. Our messages of hope, seasoned with the love of Christ, will go a long way in sharing the love of God with those who need to hear it. “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).
Photo credit: Crosscards.com/SWN
4. Be Respectful
One of the most challenging parts of this pandemic is that we all have various experiences and perspectives. There are a lot of strong opinions and still a lot of unknowns. As believers, we are called to love others. This means that we need to be self-aware and respectful of those who are living in a world impacted by the virus differently than us. We need to have hearts of compassion. We need to be careful with our words and sensitive to those who have spent almost two years of their lives serving and getting through in the thick of it all. We need to be wise what we post online and share with others. Even if we have opinions, we need to filter through what is helpful and what is harmful. It is ok to ask questions and have differing views, but especially in regard to those who are working so hard, we need to have Christ-like hearts and attitudes of thankfulness to them. When our message of the pandemic becomes our primary concern, we miss sharing the main message we are called to give on this earth, that Jesus is the way. John 13:34-35 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
5. Publicly Recognize Them
Whenever possible, we need to recognize heroes around us. Just as we would honor the military for serving our country, we need to honor frontline workers in the same way. Whenever you have a moment to acknowledge the great works of those around your community, take the opportunity to give honor where it is due. Romans 13:7 says, “Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.” The end of this verse tells us to honor those who we owe honor to. Each one of us owes honor to those meeting the immediate needs of those around our cities. We have a special privilege to publicize gratitude on business signs, on social media, through speaking engagements, in church services, etc. Let’s take time to publicly recognize them and spur others on to do the same.
This virus is more than a difficult season for many; this is a defining moment of hard work and endurance for those on the frontlines. Many of us will never fully understand what they have gone through and as believers, it is important to be empathetic towards them. We may never know the challenges that they face, but Christ does and we can share His love with them.
Jesus is the only hope of the world, and now is a prime time to share the solution to the weariness and worries of those around us. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” God clearly told us that we would have trouble. No one expected this kind of trouble, but He is still on the throne. He tells us to take heart because He has the victory. May we share that message of hope to all who need to hear it.
Do you know a frontline worker who could use some encouragement? Send them a thank-you card here!
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Maria Mikhaylichenko
Emma Danzey’s mission in life stems from Ephesians 3:20-21, to embrace the extraordinary. One of her greatest joys is to journey with the Lord in His Scriptures. She is wife to Drew and mom to Graham. Emma serves alongside her husband in ministry, she focuses most of her time in the home, but loves to provide articles on the Bible, life questions, and Christian lifestyle. Her article on Interracial Marriage was the number 1 on Crosswalk in 2021. Most recently, Emma released Treasures for Tots, (Scripture memory songs) and multiple books and devotionals for young children. During her ministry career, Emma has released Wildflower: Blooming Through Singleness, two worship EP albums, founded and led Polished Conference Ministries, and ran the Refined Magazine. You can view her articles on her blog at emmadanzey.wordpress.com