I felt fear rising in me

Last Saturday morning I was listening to the radio and all the news was about COVID-19 (a.k.a. Coronavirus).  Italy cancelled school for the entire country because of Coronavirus. A cruise ship off the coast of San Francisco was being quarantined because of Coronavirus.  The stock market is falling because of Coronavirus, and stores have run out of toilet paper, water and hand sanitizer because of Coronavirus.

As the news program continued, I could feel fear rising up in me. What happens if someone I love gets Coronavirus?  What if I am quarantined for 2 weeks?  What if this turns into a global pandemic?  Fear of the unknown.

As COVID-19 continues to spread, I want to remind us of a few things and how we as Christians can and must respond.

First, we are not a people of fear…we are a people of faith. Yes, in this season, where COVID-19 cases are on the rise in many places, there is wisdom in making changes to limit the exposure to and spread of this virus.

Yet in the middle of this, we as followers of Christ, can give our fears to Him and ask Him for godly wisdom to drive our decisions and to control our lives.  When we are tempted to give way to fear,

• read God’s word and pray – telling Him everything that is on your heart,
• call someone else and pray with them,
• and remember that you can trust in the Sovereignty of our God who knows the future.

All our lives are temporary and uncertain. Our only hope is found in Jesus Christ.

Second, historically the faith of Christians has shone brightest in response to a crisis. In this present challenge, we are called to show that our faith in Jesus is real, practical and effective. May God use us to be people of peace and to pray for those who are anxious, showing them our Savior Jesus who is our hope in the face of fear and anxiety.

And may we find help in the words of Philippians 4:4-7.

Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The LORD is at hand; do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.