Fear is contagious. But thankfully, so is courage. Both are cultivated in the company we keep and the truths that dominate our thinking. For the Christian, the guardrails for our fear in any situation are God’s presence and his promises, which will never fail his people. Because of that, we are stronger than we think we are because Jesus, who is in us, with us, and for us, is stronger even than death.
How do we fight the fear? How do we act with courage in this present crisis? In a thousand little ways — none of which will likely win a medal or make headlines, but which can and will make a difference in people’s lives and in their view of our God. So let’s answer Cowper’s call to arms: “Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take” — by remembering truths that defy the darkness, by showing love to others, and giving glory to God.
Which is why Jesus said to His terrified followers as He set His sights on what was to come:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” (John 14:1)
–Tim Keesee, May 7, 2020 at: http://www.DesiringGod.com
———————————–
COVID-19 positions us to begin to see the world from God’s point of view. The pandemic destroys our idols of prosperity, breaks down the false confidence of all people, and makes us all feel unsafe in our own strength — and feeling unsafe is sensible. As John Calvin writes: “There is no reason why we should feel safe when God declares himself opposed to us and angry with us.”
Romans 1:18 — For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
–Rosaria Butterfield, May 23, 2020, at: http://www.DesiringGod.com
————————————–
KEEPING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE: Maybe we don’t have it that bad (making the rounds on the internet)
It’s a mess out there now. It is difficult to discern between what’s a real threat and what is just simple panic and hysteria. For a small amount of perspective at this moment, imagine you were born in 1900.
On your 14th birthday, World War I starts, and ends on your 18th birthday. Twenty-two million people perish in that war. Later in the year, the Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until your 20th birthday. Fifty million people die from it in those two years. Yes, fifty million. (Gobal COVID-19 deaths are still under one million).
On your 29th birthday, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, the World GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy.
When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren’t even over the hill yet. And don’t try to catch your breath. On your 41st birthday, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in that war.
Smallpox was epidemic until you were in your 40’s, and it killed 300 million people during your lifetime.
At 50, the Korean War starts. Five million perish. From your birth, until you are 55 you dealt with the fear of polio epidemics each summer. You experience friends and family contracting polio and who are paralyzed and/or die.
At 55 the Vietnam War begins and doesn’t end for 20 years. Four million people perish in that conflict. During the Cold War, you lived each day with the fear of nuclear annihilation. On your 62nd birthday you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, almost ended. When you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends.
Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How did they endure all of that? When you were a kid in 1985, perhaps you didn’t think your 85 year old grandparent understood how hard school was, and how mean that kid in your class was. Yet they survived through everything listed above.
Perspective is an amazing art, refining and enlightening as time goes on. Let’s try and keep things in perspective. Your parents and/or grandparents/great-grandparents were called to endure all of the above.
II Corinthians 4:18 — As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are passing away, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
II Peter 3:8-10a — Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come.
—————————————–
Where is God in all this?
I think God is right here, looking at me if I can see him. This COVID-19 season has disabled us, laying bare our asinine entitlements and scaring the hell out of us… Just like in every other moment of existence, death is the alternative to life. Most of us do our best to avoid that reality, but die we must. The COVID-19 Season is just the starkest way of dying most of us have experienced.
In the process of trying to control death, we have relinquished control of our lives. That might be the definition of having Jesus in our lives.
This Season, it has become undeniably clear that everything we create can be cancelled. Was it ever any different?
–Duo Dickinson, 8-4-20 at: http://www.mbird.com
Mark 8:35-36 — (Jesus said), “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?“
***************************************
Covid Poem/Prayer
When this is over,
may we never again
take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the store
Conversations with neighbors
A crowded theater
Friday night out
The taste of communion
A routine checkup
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Each deep breath
A boring Tuesday
Life itself.
When this ends,
may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way–
better for each other
because of the worst.
– Laura Kelley Fanucci
—————————————————————-
