Lingering and languishing are two words murmuring in my mind and heart lately. I haven’t heard anyone said these two words out loud, but sense many people feel empty, depleted, and lack the energy even to linger and savor the present time.
We fixate on the never-ending pandemic dominating our lives, news, and choices. We then play the “someday when we can be normal again” game, focusing on the future.
Languishing
“Part of the danger is that when you’re languishing, you might not notice the dulling of delight or the dwindling of drive. You don’t catch yourself slipping slowly into solitude; you’re indifferent to your indifference. When you can’t see your own suffering, you don’t seek help or even do much to help yourself.”
Great quote from an article in the NY Times so well written by Adam Grant and titled “There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing.” It opens with this sentence: “The neglected middle child of mental health can dull your motivation and focus — and it may be the dominant emotion of 2021.”
He explains that “It’s the void between depression and flourishing — the absence of well-being. You don’t have symptoms of mental illness, but you’re not the picture of mental health either. You’re not functioning at full capacity…you’re indifferent to your indifference. When you can’t see your own suffering, you don’t seek help or even do much to help yourself.”
This article names what many of us face right now. We are ok yet not all ok. His antidote is to give ourselves uninterrupted time; to get into the flow of something.
I think lingering, especially in prayer, is a better cure for languishing.
Lingering
The one spiritual practice that I have found most helpful during the pandemic has been contemplative prayer and the longer the better. Twenty minutes or so every morning, resting in God’s presence, in silence and stillness, lingering in His light and love brightens and fills my soul.
- Lingering to savor that first sip of hot coffee gives me joy.
- Lingering by the window, looking upward and outward gives me hope.
- Lingering in my office and saying hello to the array of birds gathered together by the backyard feeder brings me delight.
- Lingering in the memory of the activities and people we took for granted that we no longer have due to Covid brings me sadness and appreciation of all we do possess.
- Lingering into a good book, highlighting words I don’t want to forget brings me wisdom.
- Lingering in the moment just before worship begins brings me gratitude to be able to praise God together as the body of Christ.
- Lingering just before sleep descends, listening to Bill’s snoring (I am grateful for our many years together and he is healthy and next to me – a gift some friends no longer have so I even savor his snoring) warms me with love.
- Lingering as I drift off to sleep, resting in God once again, brings me peace.
I choose lingering over languishing.
What about you? Are you lingering or languishing?
I, too, have found solace in lingering during this long siege. Lingering over my gratitude journal brings me joy as I contemplate all the ways God continues His goodness. “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 5:9)–even during a pandemic!
I thought I wouldn’t be the only one but found that article so interesting. I think more of us languish than we realize. Love your quote from Job
Lingering as a cure for languishing – I couldn’t agree more, Jean! Linger was my One Word for 2020, and I learned so much through it (including how hard it is to do sometimes!).
I forget that was your word last year. It is hard isn’t it?
Thank you jean…once again expressing what were all goin thru…ive been languishing..depressed and everything in bwtn…my 80yr brother has been fully vaccinated and still recently got the plague..thank God hes gotten over it…hes done all the masking..distancing etc…but the Lord has again been reminding me of joshua 1:9…which ive never fully understood…but the meaning is:…”it doesnt matter how feroious the enemy is..you are to be fully focused on the fact that you will defeat them and you are preoccupied with that thought..and nothing else..call for courage is to have a sense of superiority over the opposition…
Bottom line…joshua 1:9..
“Have i not COMMANDED you”…”be strong and be of a good courage”
So i have to ask myself..is He my Commander or not??
this virus certainly isn’t fair.so glad you are keeping your heart on God! BLessings!
Good article. Yes, let’s linger at the feet of Jesus for strength, hope and courage as we walk through this. I am recovering from covid and am grateful for the love of family and friends. Hubby is now day 12 in hospital and is eager to come home. Praying for that day to come soon. Thank you for reminding us where to keep our focus. Good words Jean!
yes I found that article interesting too. so glad you are recovering and hope you are getting better each day How is your hubby?
I’m doing a lot of lingering and avoiding the languishing, Jean. But it is a sad state of affairs left in the wake of this pandemic. Praying that we all come through it safely so we can recharge our lives, our hopes, our dreams.
Blessings!
glad you are avoiding languishing. I know a lot of people aren’t and don’t fully know it. I thought that article was so good and kind about this issue.