Opt-ed presented by Dr. Rhonda Travitt
The most common issues that I’ve encountered as a professional assisting in the community have been fear, anger, and uncertainty. People had become accustomed to having some form of control and freedom over their daily lives and what happens to an extent. I noticed that many people had been left with a sense of helplessness in our country. Communities are struggling and coming to terms with the fact this pandemic did not discriminate between the rich or the poor. It has also become very apparent of the damage that has been caused in the lines of communication. As a result, this becomes another issue within the families, further taxing each relationship.
The pandemic has affected our preexisting issues by intensifying them. Depression has increased at an unprecedented level due to the loss of family members, job loss, and a loss of normalcy. The increase in depression is a consequence partly because of the guilt that many feel of not being able to be present with a dying loved one. There’s a spoken and unspoken sensation denying them the opportunity for proper closure. Cases like these are not only all too common but very unfortunate. It has been noted that professionals in the medical field however highly trained, were nowhere near prepared for the level of morbidity they would see, adding to the many new cases of addictions and higher levels of depression. This pandemic is shining a brighter light on existing issues. People are able to mask issues with the requirements of day to day life such as work and being busy, but many are now having to slow down and deal with the issues of self and their current realities. The reality that home isn’t safe, jobs aren’t secure and have to be teachers to their children when pressures of uncertainty are mounting.
Police departments are reporting an increase in domestic and family disturbances during this time, which points to the direct effects the pandemic is having on our communities. Social distancing means that we don’t have the physical support that we would typically rely on. The person to person interaction is critical when providing support, and these avenues aid in fulfilling this. Technology has assisted by providing platforms such as What’s App, TeleHealth Counseling, Skype, and video chats allowing you to schedule appointments as well as be seen virtually by live doctors who are providing phone calls and real-time online video visits. We are no longer limited to an in-office visit to receive or offer the mental support that so many need. Although most corporations do not have a system in place, they, unfortunately, will not know the depth or extent of the post-traumatic stress until workers normal or regular business operations have resumed. Every joint does supply. Don’t get me wrong, food and water, and necessities of life, but it goes beyond that. Some resources are necessary to get to the other side of this crisis that people need and those that have yet to be identified.
Genuinely speaking, only time will tell what that looks like. We have to recover mentally and emotionally; we have to heal mentally and emotionally; it’s not an overnight process, not even days or months, we’re talking years. This process, I believe, will take us as a people back to the heart of humanity. We have regard for our human life, our neighbors, strangers, the elderly, and no more sizing our sisters and brothers up based on perception. We are all indeed in this together, and none of those things matter this time around. During COVID-19, not only is having a healthy relationship important but it is essential during this crisis, and I firmly believe that every relationship has been tested if not pushed to the limit.
To properly maintain a healthy relationship during this quarantine, simply means forgiving quickly and being intentional with everyone, especially those relationships with children and spouses. We are all in the same crisis, but we must realize that not everyone responds or copes in the same manner. To come out of COVID-19 with a healthy relationship, we must first be willing to listen to each other, learn and relearn each other, and make time for reflection and not give in to the negative tendencies. Love, respect, and forgive. Forgiveness will fuel the love and respect. Critical trends in a crisis often depletes a relationship. Being healthy is intentional. All the relationships in our lives must be healthy, but it takes commitment and work. Right now, people are faced with spouses and children that they’ve only spent a couple of hours a day with. In this time of crisis, they are sometimes spending 16 hours a day with them and getting to know one another more intimately. This is a time of discovery that is relevant in all phases and types of relationships. With feelings and emotions at an all-time high, it’s necessary to build strong bonds and reinforce support systems. Transformation of a Nation is a movement that assists those that are voiceless and gives them a more prosperous life through coaching, mentoring, assisting in job placements, counseling, and faith. We believe that there is potential in all of us; we maximize their potential by offering emotional support and empowering them to believe and dream again. There is always something greater in great, meaning each person possesses the ability to bring change.
Transformation of a Nation transforms one person at a time through self-help and acceptance by becoming someone that they only dreamed to be. Our mantra is: Listening, Learning, and Loving one person at a time. When one individual receives the answer and help they desired in life, then they become the answer for someone else to change their life. Lives changed one by one transforms a nation, thus the Transformation of a Nation.
About Dr. Rhonda Travitt
Dr. Rhonda Travitt is a noted author, entrepreneur, Certified Life Coach, and professional counselor. A celebrated, international speaker, a Masters degree in Clinical Christian Counseling from Christian Bible Institute and Seminary. Dr. Travitt is a professional clinical member of the National Christian Counselors Association and a Christian Certified Counselor of the International Association of Christian Counseling Professionals. However, her achievements extend beyond academic success to her first calling as a servant of God. Dr. Travitt is the founder of Restoring the Years Global Ministries in Marietta, Georgia where, through Holy Spirit, she empowers the lives of the everyday believer with her practical and biblically sound approach to teaching the word of God. As ambassador of Christ, she genuinely engages her past experiences and openly shares her heart with those seeking an empowered and fulfilled life. This calling birthed a clear and concise mission: to train, equip and send out a mighty army into a dying world. Her unique delivery of inspirational wisdom can be seen weekly on Atlanta’s WATC Channel 57 and the cable network AIB. Additionally, she serves as the Chancellor and Founder of The Apostolic and Prophetic School of Deliverance, a Christian University that trains Deliverance Ministers, Five-Fold Ministers and specializes in training on the art of Spiritual Warfare. She is the President of Rhonda Travitt Ministries and travels globally for speaking engagements. The Kingdom Women’s Empowerment Conference, founded by Dr. Travitt, is an extension of her life’s mission to enhance lives here and now with eternity in view. The Conference is hosted each year by Dr. Travitt and gathers women from across the United States and the Caribbean for personal renewal and applicable strategies for whole-life improvement. Her audience also extends to readers across the world, including university campuses. In 2012, Dr. Travitt authored Rejection and Rebellion—The Twin Towers, an internationally distributed resource which has proved an invaluable text for counseling professionals as well as for those seeking self-help. Seeing a need to restore God’s people back to proper spiritual health, Dr. Travitt was inspired to open a professional counseling and life coach practice. The National Empowerment Professional Counseling and Life Coach Association was launched in 2013 through the zeal and passion to help God’s people seek healing and restoration. Dr. Travitt functions as an advisor to ministerial colleagues across the nation as well as a corporate Life Coach and mentor to individuals within a variety of professional arenas, from entertainment to publication to entrepreneurs in the finance and personal care industries. Her commitment to reach the lost expands beyond the lines of age, nationality or gender but to the multitudes who are seeking help. By invitation, Dr. Rhonda Travitt serves on the Board of Examiners for the National Association of Christian Counselors. She is the editor of R-TYM Magazine, a quarterly publication geared toward strengthening families and the community through practical instruction and spiritual insight. In 2014, Dr. Travitt was honored by being recognized as one of the 100s List Most Powerful and Influential Women of Georgia. Dr. Rhonda Travitt resides in Georgia with her loving and devoted husband, Pastor Nick Travitt. Together they proclaim the Gospel and convey the theme, lives restored, destiny fulfilled in the fullness of God’s time, based on Joel 2:25.
