As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads, how does the Christian respond?
What seemed thousands of miles away just days ago invades our nation, our states, and our communities. As COVID-19 races around the globe, fear continues to spread even quicker than the virus itself. Shelves lay bare as people stock up on everything imaginable as citizens brace for a seemingly inevitable bout with this virus.
The NCAA, NBA, universities, school systems, and corporations of every kind rush to respond to the environmental challenges and threats this virus poses.
One source reports over 1.1 billion mentions of #Coronavirus in the media.[1]
As the fear continues to mount and people’s response seems more and more exaggerated in tone and urgency, my mind raced to the setting of the first inauguration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 as America faced tough days, miserable conditions, and a crippling economic situation. He said, “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”[2]
Fear.
In this environment, how should the Christian respond? What should we do?
How Do You View the World around You?
Ultimately, every Christian must answer this question, “How do you view the world around you?” In other words, what is your lens through which you see these circumstances and evaluate this threat? Is there anything unique to Christianity that should impact the response of the Christian such that it is different than many of the 1.1 billion other media mentions of #Coronavirus?
Yes. The Christian’s response should be different. We should not consider this virus without hope (cf., 1 Thess 4:13-18). Our response should invoke questions from those around us as they see our calm demeanor, care for others, and lack of fear (cf., Matt 5:13-16; 1 Pet 2:11-12; 3:15; 1 John 4:17-19).
For the sake of simplicity, let me suggest three areas of focus as we seek to respond to this virus in a God-honoring, Christ-exalting, others-benefiting way.
Responding as One Who Trusts God
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
(Isaiah 41:10)
As God did with Israel, He also strengthens us. He helps us. God is with us. You are not alone in your fight with COVID-19; God is with you.
God. is. with. you.
You do not have to allow fear to dominate your response to this virus.
What is the difference between fear/worry and a godly concern?[3]
Worry is an over-anxious concern regarding the future and things that keeps a person from fulfilling current responsibilities. In the Bible, the word worry literally means a divided mind. The word also can be translated as anxious or anxiety. This is more than just a concern; it is an over-anxious concern. It is a pre-occupation with the future that divides or distracts the mind from current responsibilities. Specifically in this case, it is allowing the coronavirus and global pandemic to distract you to a level where you are impeded from fulfilling your current responsibilities to your family, your work, or to yourself.
David Powlison explains worry. He writes, “Central to worry is the illusion that we can control things. ‘If only I could get my retirement right, I could control the future.’ ‘If I could get my diet and medicine right, I wouldn’t get cancer.’ ‘If I could figure out the right childbearing technique, I could guarantee how my kids turn out.’ Worry assumes the possibility of control over the uncontrollable. The illusion of control lurks inside your anxiety. Anxiety and control are two sides of one coin. When we can’t control something we worry about it.”[4]
Essentially, you worship your desire for the future more than you do God. You allow anything or anyone – in this case, a desire to not get the coronavirus or allow it to spread – to capture your heart and mind and affections more than God. You substitute your worship for God and trust in His control for a counterfeit or substitute god – your desire to control this situation.
When does godly concern become sinful worry?[5]
- When your thoughts are focused on changing or controlling the future.
- When your thoughts are unproductive and seem like they are in a spin cycle.
- When your thoughts about what you want control you instead of you controlling them.
- When concern causes you to neglect your other responsibilities and relationships.
- When it starts to damage your body through tension and other bodily responses to stress.
- When you start losing hope instead of finding answers.
- When you shut down and stop functioning.
Instead of worry and fear, we trust God.
As a Christian then, we trust that God is in control. We realize that COVID-19 did not surprise Him. God said to Israel in captivity:
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
God promises to His people again to take care of them, protect them, and provide for them. Their responsibility simply was to trust Him.
Today, God is equally in charge. His plan still rules. We do not know all the particulars of our circumstances, just as they did not know all the particulars in theirs. However, God rules. You can trust Him even in the midst of this pandemic.[6]
As Christians, heaven is our home. We have no fear of eternity. God is in control. We have hope in Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1-5).
Responding as One Who Loves Your Neighbors
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
(1 John 4:21)
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
(Matthew 22:37-40)
As followers of Jesus, we must not just simply trust God, we must also respond as those who love our neighbors.
What are ways we can demonstrate love to our neighbors in this intense trial?
- Pay attention to the information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) [you can access the latest information here]
- Supplement your information from the CDC with the World Health Organization (WHO) [you can access the latest information here]
- Listen to your state and local authorities to follow their immediate directions for your specific area
- Seek to respond as you are asked by governmental officials (cf., Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-17)
- Look for ways to creatively serve your neighbor (cf., Matt 7:12; 1 Pet 3:8; Gal 5:14; Gal 6:2, 10; Heb 13:1-2)
- Help those who can’t help themselves, like senior adults and the homebound (cf., James 1:27)
Who is your neighbor?
When Jesus taught to love your neighbor, one person immediately asked, “Well who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29-37). Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. In it, He tells of the most unlikely man that loved and served his neighbor, the good Samaritan. Jesus essentially said to look around you and help those who simply need it. Specifically, He challenged His followers to show mercy.
Your care begins with those who are closest to you as neighbors for whom you are responsible and then branches out in greater circles of concern.
- Those who live in your home are your neighbor – for which you are responsible.
- Those who are your family who do not live in your home are your neighbor – for which you may be partially responsible.
- Any person who goes to church with you is your neighbor – for which you may be partially responsible under the direction of your church leadership.
- People who literally live next door to you and in your community are your neighbors – for which you should be concerned and seek to help as possible.
- Regardless of who it is, you should desire to demonstrate the love and mercy of Christ – for which you are responsible.
Responding as One Who Prays
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16)
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
(Hebrews 2:18)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
(James 1:5)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.
For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought,
but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is,
because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
(Romans 8:26-27)
6 Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:6-7)
As children of God, we are invited to pray when we have burdens, concerns, and heartaches. God invites us to bring our petitions before Him. He wants us to cast our cares upon Him. God promises peace as we bring our burdens to Him. Jesus understands us and offers us grace and mercy. The Spirit intercedes for us.
What are specific prayer requests you can pray related to the coronavirus, and other concerns?[7]
Prayers for what you and others think and want:
- Pray for wisdom as you hear the reports and decide how to respond
- Pray for trust in God’s plan
- Pray for creativity to know how to serve others around you – creative love
- Pray for a strong God focus
- Pray for God’s help to view the fearful situation as an opportunity to grow for God’s glory
- Pray for gratitude as you go through this trial
Prayers for the situation and health concerns:
- Pray for those in positions of authority to have wisdom
- Pray for those in positions of danger to have protection and safety
- Pray for those infected to be healed
- Pray for safety for you and your own family
- Pray for an antidote
- Pray for opportunities through this to share the Gospel and hope that you have in Christ
[4] David Powlison, Worry, Philipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2004, pg. 12.
[5] This list comes from a lecture I give as part of our counseling training. I used some material from Dr. Robert Smith and Brad Bigney.
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