Responding to COVID-19

Viral Fear

There are so many media sources giving statistics and things to do and not do during this “pandemic.” With many sources giving misinformation (either intentionally or unintentionally), what’s a person to do? How do we respond when we feel our stomachs tightening, our heart rates increasing, and our fear mounting? How should we respond to COVID-19?

What Jesus said in responding to COVID-19

What would Jesus say to us?  He would say the same thing He said over 2,000 year ago!

• Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barn; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Therefore, do not worry.
• But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Go to the right Source.
• Do what you can. Use your gifts to bring healing instead of harm. Find a way to use your energy for good instead of negativity in responding to COVID-19. Reach out instead of hunkering in. When Moses griped that doing what God asked was impossible because the people wouldn’t listen to him, God told him to use what was in his hand. What is in your hand? Use it to help. Check on lonely neighbors or mail notes of encouragement. Sew masks or pay for materials. Pick up groceries for elderly folks. Donate blood. Support a local business. Fix a meal, give a coupon to thank someone who gave blood in your place if you are unable to donate. Be a face of cheer instead of gloom.

Internal review on responding to COVID-19

How am I not to worry? Here are four tips for responding to COVID-19. It’s a call for disengagement from worry and focusing on what is truly important.

1. Acknowledge that worry is not a virtue. Worry is a failure to trust God. Worry doesn’t  make your life longer; it makes it miserable.
2. Read your Bible instead of the media. If you want to grow in faith, practice media distancing and read your Bible. Romans says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” How does your time on social media and news channels compare with your time reading the Word? Get your daily dose of faith!
3. Replace Panic with Prayer.  In his letter to the Philippians, Paul told the readers, “Don’t worry about anything . . . but pray about everything. And be thankful.” The question is: are you praying? Are you thanking God daily?
4. Replace anxiety, worry, and panic with Godly thoughts. When you are tempted to dwell on negative or worrisome thoughts, turn that worry channel off. Turn to a different channel, focusing on the opposite of worry. Think about things that are true, pure, noble, lovely, just, and of a good report. If you do that, the God of Peace will be with you. This is His promise, and it follows His command. Are you focusing on things that fit these qualifications, or are you caught up in the negative news you watch?

When this event is behind us, how do you want your responses to be remembered? When others are afraid, can they turn to you for hope, or will you only increase their dismay? Think about it – then do what you need to do to respond in a way that won’t later bring you embarrassment or shame. When our focus is right, everything else in our day will fall into place.

Thanks and recognition goes to Dave who shared the core of these thoughts in our church service via google-app a few weeks ago.