A Response to COVID-19
Why do we always see the need to blame someone for what is happening around us? What people really need is hope. People need a word of encouragement, an appreciation for their efforts, and a purpose to live for. To quote Thomas Paine, “These are the times that try men’s souls,” but I say these are the times to save men’s souls by the grace and forgiveness found in the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Regardless of how men act, love your fellow man, treat him with respect, feed the hungry, hold up the hands of our medical folks on the front line, be prayerful, be patient, be positive, and trust in the God who made you and gives you hope beyond this old world. It’s a time for courage, not fear. It’s a time for boldness, not blame. It’s a time for humility, not haughtiness, and it’s a time for compassion, not criticism. Love God, Love others, and share Jesus.
How do you respond during a crisis moment such as the spread of COVID-19 around the globe? Here are three things that we want to encourage you to strive for as we all deal with this Coronavirus threat together.
1. Choose Prayer Over Panic
Panicky decisions are rarely good ones. We have seen panic in everything from stocking up on toilet paper to Tylenol. We can make preparation without a spirit of panic. Prayer is a much better response than panic. Paul reminds of this in the following scriptures:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:4-7
Christians should make prayerful and peace-driven decisions in the midst of turmoil. We have joy, gentleness, peace, and thanksgiving that characterize our lives as children of God. We approach God’s throne with confidence knowing that He helps us in our time of need.
Notice what the writer in Hebrews 4:16 says: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
2. Choose Faith Over Fear
Jesus told the disciples, “Do not be afraid, oh ye of little faith.” Why is it that we are told so many times in the Bible to not be afraid? It’s because God knows our tendency to give in to fear, especially concerning death. However, Jesus came to free us from that fear.
Hebrews 2:14-15 says, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
Jesus knew what it was like to face death and it was even difficult for him, but his answer was not “my will,” but God’s will be done. Our faith is a dependence on God and is expressed in seeking first the Kingdom of God. A slave to fear makes a poor soldier.
Follow the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
3. Choose Health Over Harm
While we are always concerned about the spiritual well-being of others, we are also to be concerned with their physical well-being. Loving others and meeting their needs has always been a mark of true Christianity. As Christians, we honor the advice to practice social distancing because we love and care for our fellow man.
Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:7 that love always protects. The story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 tells us who our neighbor is and to treat them with mercy. As soon as the virus hit, a young couple at our church offered to go to the grocery store or pharmacy for any of our older folks to protect them from being exposed. As we said, love protects.
Hard times tend to create holy opportunities for God’s people. So, let’s be ready for action! My prayer is that this outbreak will turn into an outcry for God. In the words of that great old gospel song, “Revive us again!”