“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty… For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Psalm 91:1,3-4
In this time of fear I turn to the Word of God for comfort. COVID-19, the Coronavirus, has swept the world into a state of panic. Nations are taking extreme precautions in order to keep everyone safe, even to a point of isolation. These are necessary practical measures that need to be taken, however they are doing little to comfort their citizens who are living in a state of fear. We need to come together and speak hope, comfort, and love now more than ever!
I want to confess and repent that when the panic arose a couple of weeks ago over this virus I was cynical and judgmental, believing that everyone was over-reacting and panicking for no good reason. I want to confess and say that I deeply apologize for having such a negative response. I know now how real the threat is, and the reasons for these (what seemed impractical to me) reactions. My response should have been one of compassion and love, comfort and hope, not one of judgement, denial, or ridicule. I just needed to repent and say I am sorry.
The thing that has my heart breaking right now isn’t the disease itself, even though I am heartbroken over those who have been sick and are dying, it has been the fear that has gripped this nation. It is the confusion and panic that has been the battle cry. It has been the sense of despair and hopelessness. That is what has broken my heart in this time.
Wash your hands
I want to make sure that you understand I am not hear to preach that the only thing we have to do is pray and all the practical stuff goes out the window. Please, please listen to the authorities and experts who are addressing this situation. Please don’t shut down and say “Well I’m not at risk so I can do whatever the hell I want!”
Even if you are not elderly or immuno-compromised, you can still be a carrier of the disease and transmit it to those who are at risk. So especially at this time, but also just in normal every day life, make sure you are washing your hands regularly. Use hand sanitizer. If you have ANY symptoms at all, even if you think its allergies, STAY HOME! Don’t put others at risk. Again I want to confess, I used to be the one saying “Oh I’m fine. Its just allergies, I’m not at risk, I’ll just make sure I wash my hands, but still go out.” I repent now for my arrogance, and lack of respect for the well-being of others. I am changing my viewpoint and approach. I changed, you can too! Please, please stay safe and keep others safe as well!
And make sure that when you are staying home, and feeling bored, and out of touch with others, that you are holding onto hope, faith, and joy! That this time of isolation for the safety of others is not a time of fear, loneliness, or despair.
There is hope
But I have good news! There is hope! Even in the middle of crisis, there is always hope!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
As you are stuck at home don’t fall into anxiety and depression. Reconnect with family and friends. Give someone a call and connect on the web. Pick up a new hobby, or rediscover an old one. Read that book you’ve been wanting to read. Record YouTube videos. Speak words of hope to others online. Sing a song. Learn an instrument. Let’s use this time of mandated isolation to rediscover ourselves, and reconnect with others. Let’s see this time of isolation as a way to unite our nation! Let’s come out of this stronger than ever!
If you are still feeling anxious and worried about the Coronavirus I first want to encourage you to PLEASE reach out to people. Call your counselor or therapist, or call your best friend or family member, and let them into your pain. Talk through your feelings with them, and then use your coping skills, and find a way of grounding. Please don’t isolate yourself further. The virus can’t stop phone calls or skype from happening, so use them.
I want to encourage you with this passage that I’ve been reading over and over again during this time:
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in the darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.'”
Psalm 91, NLT
I am standing with you all (From a distance) and saying that during this time of international crisis, however long it lasts, we can still have HOPE and we can get through this together!
The Mountains We Face 