A Crisis Like This...

Photo by Álvaro Serrano on Unsplash

My dear Ringworm,

I am distressed by your last letter saying that you wonder what good could come from this “global pandemic.” Can you not see it? A crisis like this affords us all sorts of opportunities to thwart the plans of the Enemy. Let me remind you that the term “global pandemic” was coined by our own Master and is bringing about (quite successfully!) the first desired outcome. Paired with other phrases like: “quarantine,” “infection rate,” and “lockdown,” this is bringing about a state of fear on the earth.

                Fear, of course, is our greatest weapon in times like these. The patient must be afraid because fear will lead to all the other desired qualities. Fear is best encouraged these days by scrolling through news and social media (only the approved platforms, of course!). First, focus him on the growing number of people infected. It will inevitably lead to a fear of contracting the virus. Second, show him how easily the virus appears to be spread. He will then fear spreading the virus and will stay home, where the next weapon can be wielded. Finally, be sure to direct his attention to the various ways that the government is “taking away his rights” and “controlling his every move.” That will be sure to induce fear.

                Loneliness and depression are very effective weapons in our arsenal as well. Be sure that the patient stays home, away from other people. The Enemy has made his children to need fellowship with one another. When that fellowship is taken away, loneliness with inevitably set it. But be sure he doesn’t think it is worth it to correspond with people over the internet. Lead him to a place of loneliness. And whatever you do, you must be absolutely certain that he does follow the absurd idea of going to the Enemy to solve his loneliness problem. You must be sure his loneliness leads him to a place of depression, because depression will lead him to stop trusting in the Enemy (more on that later).

                In addition, it is very helpful to our cause if he worries and becomes anxious. The patient, I understand, happens to belong to the unfortunate portion of the workforce labelled: “unnecessary.” As the weeks drag on, I’m sure he will begin to feel the effects of having been laid off. His rent is due, he needs to eat, and he is digging into his savings account now. Good! Make him wonder and worry about his financial future and security. That is excellent for our purposes.

                Now, you must tread carefully with this next one, or he may begin to believe he is a hypocrite. You must find ways to feed irritation or anger in the patient. Let him gripe about masks and social distancing. Let him complain about staying home. Let him get angry with the government placing too many restrictions on him (this, of course, leads to a fear of the government becoming too controlling, which is helpful). Above all, let him get angry at those who seem not to care. If someone on facebook says that they want quarantine to be over, he must have a biting response ready about how they don’t care about the elderly. If someone else says that they want more restrictions and think social distancing is a good thing, he should respond that they don’t care about mental health. Let him think his enemy is anyone who disagrees with him. This is quite a good strategy for us, as it directs his attention away from the reality of the world he lives in.

                Finally, and perhaps most important, you must target his spiritual life directly. First, get him bored with the virtual gatherings. They aren’t the same as meeting in person. Distract him when he sits down for a 10 AM gathering on his couch, with his PJs on and a mug of coffee in his hand. Focus him on the out of tune guitar, or the low sound quality, or the head in the corner of the screen. Focus him on anything, anything but what the pastor is saying. Pastors these days are saying things most dangerous to our cause. He must not hear that the Enemy wants him to love and serve others. He must not hear that the Enemy has a good plan and purpose in this and wants to teach him something.

                This leads me to my last point. He must begin to doubt the goodness and wisdom of the Enemy. From a young age, this is something he has believed. But when a crisis like this comes along, it is the perfect time for us to plant seeds of doubt. If the Enemy is really good, why would he allow so many people to die? If he is really wise, why would he bring suffering into the world? Why is he letting things get out of his control? Not only should he doubt the Enemy, but he must accuse and complain. Keep him away from lament. That is an act of faith most dangerous to our cause. No, he must accuse the Enemy of being anything but wise and good and faithful. He must complain about the Enemy. Derail his trust in the plans of the Enemy. This is, by far, the most important point. If you can make him waver in his faith in the Enemy, he will surely fall prey to our hands.

                I must acknowledge that the most annoying thing about this situation is that we really have no idea how much time we have. We are not privy to all the plans of the Enemy. Because we don’t know, we must work all the more diligently to make our Master proud. Be patient, my nephew.

Yours truly,

Uncle Thorn

 

This letter is an exploration of what may be going on “behind the scenes” during this pandemic. It attempts to answer the question: “what might Satan and his cohort be trying to accomplish during this time?” It was inspired in part by C.S. Lewis and “The Screwtape Letters.” I was also inspired by a conversation I had with my professor about what may be going on behind the scenes in the world around us.