Posted on “Katie Counsels” website
Are you worried about the corona virus? Maybe you really don’t know what to think because there is so much information and it is frequently conflicting. As we look around our own community today, events, sports, and schools are slowly starting to cancel one by one. As I am writing this, I just found out the first case of the corona virus was reported where I live. As Christians, I want to encourage you that we can be confident in the face of this crisis when we choose to have a godly perspective. Our emotions and our security do not need to ebb and flow with each crashing wave of this pandemic. What are some Biblical concepts that will help us to have right thinking and goals during this time?
What
What is your foundation?
It is interesting to see how the media has handled this crisis. It leaves me feeling more confused. Should I panic? Should I hoard toilet paper? And also, why toilet paper? There is a lot of confusing and contradicting information. I appreciate some of the posts on social media that present “the facts”, but what if the facts change? What if you are someone who is more vulnerable to this virus? I recognize that the charts and statistics may be more discouraging than comforting to you.
As Christians, we have something even better: we have a firm foundation in Christ. If you find your security or your peace wavering with each new piece of information you receive, you may be looking for your security in the wrong place. If you are more vulnerable to this virus, or have a loved one who is, this could be a very real temptation for you right now. The Bible encourages us not to look around, but instead, to look up.
A verse to help with right thinking:
Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Turn it into a prayer:
God, help me not to place my trust and my security in the fluctuating information, or in the government, or in my own health at this time. Help me to rejoice in my salvation and put my trust in your goodness and your faithfulness. That alone is where I find my peace and my foundation. Amen.
When
Who knows if you were made for such a time as this?
Queen Esther was used by God to save an entire group of Jews living in the capital city of the ancient Persian Empire. If you are familiar with this story you know she was not born into royalty, but rather, went through a series of remarkable events to become the Queen. God providentially placed her in that time to redeem his people once again. Her uncle Mordecai said this to her: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Have you considered that you were placed at this time in history on purpose by God? This pandemic in our country right now is an opportunity for us to love on our community in a unique way. We won’t get this time back. What will we do with it?
A verse to help with right thinking:
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Turn it into a prayer:
Lord, help me to consider carefully how I am walking through this time you have put me in. Help me to see each encounter as a providential meeting. Please show me what you would have me to do and say to encourage others towards you. Please help me to be open to the opportunities this virus will create to share your love and to share the Gospel. Amen.
Why
Christ is our example.
Jesus was moved with compassion as He looked around at the “virus” of sin that infected every human being. This virus is far worse and far more deadly than any pandemic the world has ever seen. He didn’t choose comfort and security. Instead he chose to enter into this dirty and sinful world to serve his enemies. He washed dirty feet, loved the unlovable, and surrendered to a brutal death on the cross.
We have to ask ourselves, what are we willing to do to serve others in light of this current crisis? Is our first reaction to be selfish or comfortable? Are we willing to share what we have if necessary? Are we willing to serve church members and families in our community that come down with this sickness? How can we seek to be more Christ like in response to the consequences of this virus?
A verse to help with right thinking:
Mark 8:34
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Turn it into a prayer:
Lord, I am asking for your help today to put my own desires and comfort aside. Please give me wisdom in serving and help me to know what I can do to serve others when it is needed. Thank you for being willing to die for this sinful world, show me how to be more like you, show me what it looks like to deny myself and take up my cross in this day. Amen.
Where
Where can we be a blessing?
As we begin to think through the fact that God has us here in this time and in this place for a reason, we can begin to form a plan of where we can minister to others. We can’t go all around the world to help out, but we can pray for other countries. We have missionaries that are in crisis areas right now and we can pray for the unique opportunities they are facing today. We can pray for the leaders of our communities and wisdom for them as they take action. We can support them by not complaining when things are being cancelled and shut down. These are hard decisions to make and it is a blessing to have leaders that seek to slow the spread of this virus for the love and care of the most vulnerable in our communities. We can consider and begin to pray that God will use us to further the Gospel and share the love of Christ in each sphere of our lives. Begin to consider and pray about what that might look like for you. Where will you be able to minister specifically?
A verse to help with right thinking:
Galatians 5:13-14
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Turn it into a prayer:
Lord God, thank you for being willing to serve the most weak and vulnerable on this earth. Please help me as I consider the different areas of my life and how I can best love and serve the people in those areas. I often am tempted to love myself alone and neglect my neighbor out of comfort or laziness. Burden my heart for my neighbor and give me the strength and desire to serve them today. Amen.
How
Looking up and out with the love of Christ.
In times of turmoil and panic it is tempting to look inward and worry. First, we can combat this by taking the focus off of ourselves and put it on God. Consider reading a book or focusing your devotions on the attributes of God at this time. He is faithful. He is good. He is in control. Meditating on his character will alleviate a great amount of stress and worry no matter what your greatest concern is at this time. Second we can combat this by looking outward at others. It will help us to put aside our own burdens if we “through love serve one another.” Taking our eyes off of ourselves and the storm around us will alleviate some of the stress. Most importantly, this will start us down a road of honoring God with right responses that are fueled by right thinking. This is important for the Christian because our goal in life is not to be comfortable and safe, or to avoid any problems in life, but to be well pleasing to God no matter what comes our way.
Posted at: https://www.katie-counsels.com/2020/03/12/a-biblical-perspective-on-the-corona-virus/