Although a pandemic, the Coronavirus, is among us, that doesn’t mean the world is coming to an end. What it does mean is that we have to pray, support each other and trust God for the outcome.
In any situation such as this one, people tend to panic. Panicking is not going to do anything except create problematic issues, such as the “toilet tissue/hand sanitizer syndrome.” Expert health officials, among others, have told us what to expect and what to do in our best interest. Follow the guidelines, use common sense, and stop plugging your eyes into the television all day long, because all that will do is cause fear and panic.
Put your faith and trust in the One who controls everything: God. Take note of what the Lord said in His Word about all of this: “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:13-14 KJV).
Further, if you are a Christian, you should not be living in fear about this Coronavirus: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (II Timothy 1:7 ESV)
Then what should we do, other than follow the advice of the experts, through this pandemic? First of all, we must pray. When we pray, we uplift Jesus. God knows our needs, but He wants us to petition for those needs. The Word says in Philippians 4:6 (ESV), “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Jesus taught His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:24-25 ESV)
Ask God to be a hedge of protection around you and your family and not to allow any disease to come upon you nor them. However, make sure you remember what He said about forgiveness first!
The next thing is that we should support each other throughout this ordeal. Don’t selfishly focus on just you and your family if you are aware that there may be others in need. Schools have been closed. Therefore, your service may be needed in some way. Call and check on families, especially the children and the elderly.
I John 4:11 (ESV) states, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Paul told the Philippians, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (2:4 ESV) It is so admirable what some of the NBA players are doing for the workers at the arenas where they play: they are covering their salaries during the time they will be off due to the Coronavirus. One of our own, Zion Williamson, who has roots in the Ruffin area, is one of the NBA players who will be contributing financially toward this endeavor. He is only 19-years-old! Just look at God…
Finally, as believers, it is imperative that we trust God for the outcome. Trusting God means taking Him at His Word. It also means that we love Him, knowing that He will never leave or forsake us. Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) affirms, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” In the book of the weeping prophet, Jeremiah, God declared, “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” (29:10-12 ESV)
My sisters and brothers in Christ, God wants us to have a relationship with Him built on trust! Have faith over fear, peace over panic, and know that God is over everything.
Have a wonderfully blessed week, and never leave home without Him!
(Anna Bright is a minister and educator in Walterboro. She can be reached at abrightcolumn@lowcountry.com)
