Earlier this week I rolled my eyes as my husband said, “I think we should be aware of what’s going on with the coronavirus.” His desire to be informed was the result of watching the news while waiting for his truck to receive new tires. My eye roll was the result of hearing many claims in the media about the coronavirus and a lack of tangible evidence to support such claims. One news source reported that a local music festival has been canceled due to fear of the virus spreading. In that particular news clip, the reporter stated something along the lines of, “We don’t have evidence of the coronavirus being present here and when we don’t have evidence we turn to expert opinion and since we don’t have expert opinion, we make a decision.” This seemed like a quick and far jump to me. I understand the importance and wisdom of taking precautions. I’m sure that making a decision to cancel a major event is no easy matter. What I have a hard time understanding is the illogical, fear-based approach that led to the final decision.
As one who typically has fearful tendencies, I was discouraged by my husband’s announcement because, until that point, I hadn’t been tempted to fear. I wondered how Christians should respond to such an event and how we could be best informed. My preference would be to receive information as facts presented in an unbiased manner but alas, we don’t live in such a world where that happens. I decided to listen to Christians leaders who I know are well informed. While I don’t believe that what these leaders say is the final word, I am deeply grateful for how their responses are rooted in the word and point to the Word Himself, Jesus. I listened to 4 different Christian podcasts (you can find them linked below) that specifically address fears related to the coronavirus. I was greatly encouraged by the hope that I presently have and the hope that is to come.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the resurrection hope we have because of Jesus and how this hope shapes every aspect of our lives, including our responses to illness and even death. It is interesting to consider how the timing of the coronavirus outbreak is occurring in the weeks leading up to Easter. Perhaps a redemptive quality of this virus is that it fixes our eyes on Christ’s resurrection in which He achieved victory over sin and death (Romans 8:2). Christians, we of all people ought to fear not (Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 118:6, Psalm 46:1-3, Isaiah 41:10). We don’t just know of the One who holds the keys to death and Hades, we know Him! He is the one who sympathizes with us when we are weak (Hebrews 4:15) whether that weakness is spiritual (fear) or physical (illness). Death is something we often fear because it is unfamiliar yet our Savior familiarized Himself with it on our behalf (Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 12:3-4). We don’t know what physical death feels like and the circumstances of our respective deaths remain a mystery. We do know that we don’t have to be afraid because we know Jesus and He will be with us (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5) as our souls depart our bodies to be united with Him permanently.
The words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:8 served as an encouragement to the members of the Corinthian church who felt the tension between physical embodiment and the longing to be present with Christ. Regarding this, he wrote, “…we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Paul’s words of old remain timely even today in the face of the coronavirus and we do well to remember them.
As people who have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3), how then should we live in these uncertain times?
Here are a few thoughts to help shape our responses:
Pray
1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:16
- Pray for the spread of the gospel
- Pray for those who are sick
- Pray for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones
- Pray that you won’t give way to fear
- Pray for wisdom to know what practical preventions you ought to take
- Pray for wisdom for our government and church leaders
- Pray for your heart to compassionately respond to and care for those affected
Think On What is True
- Ultimately, Jesus (John 14:6)
- God faithfully provides for the needs of His people (Exodus 16, Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 6:25-34, Romans 8:32, Philippians 4:19)
- God is sovereign over everything (Psalm 115:3, 1 Timothy 6:15)
- Our home isn’t here (John 14:2-3, 2 Corinthians 5:9, Hebrews 11:16)
Compassionately Care for Others
- Pray with and for them (James 5:16, 3 John 2,)
- Provide for their needs ( Proverbs 3:27, Galatians 6:10)
- Practice hospitality (Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9) – this will probably look unique at this time. Some ideas to help with this are video chats to check in on friends and family, sending money for groceries or meals electronically, sending meals via meal delivery services, sending groceries via grocery delivery services, etc.
- In a time when folks are fueled by greed, be a light by sharing what you have. Remember that it first and foremost belongs to the Lord and He’s entrusted it to you so that you may steward it wisely (Psalm 50:10, Psalm 24:1, Hebrews 13:16, 1 Timothy 6:17-18,)
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Recommended Resources
Talking About the Coronavirus With Your Kids (begin listening at 1:39:49 on the audio and 1:16:41 on the video)
This article is well written, timely, informative and most of all, encouraging. It can be tempting to be consumed with the negative bias of the Never-Ending news cycle. This article provides a scriptural compass showing where our true focus and direction should be.
Thanks, dad!