There seem to be two groups of people right now: the ones who are totally freaking out over the coronavirus covid 19 and those who are shouting at the top of their lungs about how the flu is far worse.
I’ve been vacillating between both groups.
A few weeks ago, I happened to watch the news. I don’t watch the news much, so you can imagine my shock at the scenes coming out of China. It looked like something from a scary movie.
And that was before the coronavirus came to the United States.
I took some comfort in stories about how the flu is much worse. Which, when you think about it, shouldn’t be very comforting at all. Maybe because I’ve survived the flu several times, it seems less scary. Still, both viruses can be dangerous. And if you’re the one sick, in bed, with a 103-degree fever, hearing that the mortality rate for this illness isn’t as bad as that other one isn’t going to change how you feel.
Putting Fear and the Coronavirus in Their Place
So, what do we do with the fear?
Strangely, my word for 2020 is Fearless. I don’t feel very fearless, though. The Bible says that we really only need to be fearful of God, and He loves us, so it’s good.
But it’s not that easy, is it?
We can be scared of all kinds of things—speaking up, taking a chance, putting ourselves out there, or some crazy virus popping up all over. Fear can keep us in our homes, away from others, isolated, and not really living.
Don’t get me wrong. Fear can be a good thing when it helps us have better hygiene or not grab a rattlesnake, but I think for the most part, fear needs to learn its place.
Fear is not the master here. It doesn’t get to tell us what we should and shouldn’t do. It is an instrument—a tool. We can let it inform us, but we should never let it control us. Being scared of something should never be the defining action of our next step.
Now, Back to God
I don’t know where you are in your belief about God, but now would be a good time to take a second look. The Almighty God of the universe is reaching out to you. Not to make you feel better or safe or okay despite what may come but to love you like you’ve never been loved before. Jesus came for you, and his promise still stands. Fear not. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (Matthew 10:28)
God has done everything to have a relationship with us. We really do have nothing to fear. Sickness, bankruptcy, rejection, trouble, hardship, famine, danger—there’s nothing that can separate us from his love. (Romans 8:31-39)
So, wash your hands. Be smart. And while you’re hanging out at home, talk to God. He loves you.
And take a minute to leave a comment on this post. I’d love to hear from you. How are you doing? Any interesting stories from the coronavirus quarantine of 2020?
If you haven’t signed up to receive my blog posts and newsletters, you can do so by clicking here! You can read gems like this letter I wrote to say goodbye to FEAR!
Check this video out! Fear is Just a Lie
Check out my short story “The Door” on page 41.
