Lessons from Lebanon: Finding Hope When Your World Blows Apart

Some of the most valuable lessons that I’ve learned have been from those who not only survive disasters but somehow manage to thrive in the face of them. I’m humbled and inspired by those who refuse to give up; by those who commit to making a difference when it matters most; by those who will pay the cost to be agents of unstoppable love.

Sometimes I think I have a grasp on how people respond during disasters and then something happens and I feel like a blind man who’s just received his sight. Before I share this story with you, you’ll need some backstory to understand its significance.

Lebanon has been facing a devastating “perfect storm”. Last August the World Bank reported that unemployment was at 20% (30% for youth). Shortly after that Lebanon’s credit rating dropped “deep into junk territory” according to The Economist. The government declared an economic emergency and all international funds were frozen and trade (especially gas, wheat, medicines) came to a screeching halt.

And then, October 17th, the government announced a tax on internet voice-call services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Protests started that evening and within a few days more than a million people rallied to demand that the entire government step down.

An Economic disaster.

And then a Political disaster.

And then the COVID disaster.

And then the world gasped as Lebanon experienced the horrific disaster in Beirut. The massive explosion on August 4th killed 178, injured over 6,500, and left over 300,000 homeless. Three of Beirut’s major hospitals were forced to close following the explosion and three other hospital were significantly damaged. They lost over 500 hospital beds because of the explosion. Their healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. Predictably, now with COVID spiking, orders were issued to stay at home. But 300,000 people no longer have homes.

The disaster continues to unfold.

Because of my experience in international disasters, I was recently asked to lead an online workshop for business leaders in Lebanon. As we began the workshop, I explained how my heart grieved for them and that I would not show up arrogantly thinking that I knew what was best for them. My goal was to facilitate a conversation that could unlock their collective wisdom as they struggled to make a difference when their families, organizations, communities, country, region, and world needed them the most. We explored why it was important for them to respond with an unstoppable love in the face of overwhelming disaster and fear.

That’s when the conversation took a turn I didn’t expect. They said, “In our country, if you’re unstoppable, they will kill you.” Whoa. How do you respond to that? When I struggle to be an agent of unstoppable love, I might struggle with insecurity, fear, or self-doubt. But I never have to look over my shoulder wondering where the bullet is going to come from. They are living in a different world than I am. After we talked about it for a while, their conclusion was one that I will never forget:

“They can stop my body, but they cannot stop the impact that I will make.” They cannot stop unstoppable love.

Legacy.

While talked about a lot of great ideas in that workshop, I came away asking myself one single, transformational question: “What price am I willing to pay to leave a legacy of unstoppable love?”