Finding Peace During the Corona Virus Pandemic
“God says, “I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord. When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them. I will reward them with long life; I will save them”
(Psalm 91:14-16 GNT).
Many people are scared due to the uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus (CORVID-19). I think each time a politician tells the public “don’t panic” that it unfortunately causes some to panic more. I am a person of faith but also of science. As we wait in faith for this to pass, we all should remember a few things.
1. God has power over every storm.
I take refuge in the passage from Matthew 8:23-27 when Jesus calmed the storm. The disciples were afraid of the storm and woke up Jesus. Matthew 8:26 teaches us that He, “rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Jesus will rebuke these winds. It will be calm. His divinity is often more clearly revealed in the midst of a storm or other crisis.
2. Keep your focus on Him
The disciple Peter was able to walk on water as long he kept looking at Jesus. Once his focus was shifted to the water, he began to sink. We can walk through this storm in faith as long as we maintain grounded in Him, His truth, and His word, or we can struggle in the storm without Him. This is a battle, but the battle belongs to the LORD (1 Samuel 17:47). Go read 2 Chronicles 20 for an example of how God fights for us in what seems like an impossible situation.
3. Jesus is with us
The God of heaven and earth is always with us. He wants nothing but good for all of us. We have the greatest power on our side. We are able to connect through prayer with Him at any time. Remember this, “If God is with us, then who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). In Him, we have peace.
Storms, viruses, and other crises provide us an opportunity – worry or worship, faith or fear. If we choose to look to Jesus above everything else, we will begin to see that the storms we face are nothing compared to the Savior choosing to walk through the storm alongside us.
So, how can we turn our worry into worship? It begins with honesty. Tell God exactly how you feel. Trusting God with your feeling is a form of worship. In the Old Testament, Job did this. “Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20). Don’t keep any negative emotions and feelings inside. Give them all to God and just as important – leave them with Him. God understands and appreciates our emotions. We are made in His likeness and He has emotions. The Bible indicates that God has feelings of love, anger, jealousy, and grief. God can handle your feelings.Lamentations 2:19 teaches us to, “Cry out in the night . . . Pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord.”
When the Prophet Nehemiah heard panic-filled news about his people in Jerusalem, he did two things. He “fasted and prayed before to the God in heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4). Fasting and prayer reminded him who God is, what He has done, and what He can do. The same is true today.
As I typed earlier, I am a person of faith and science. So, as for science we should also remember a few things. You already know these, but repetition is the key to learning.
1. Hand washing is an important tool to reduce our risk of exposure. We have all been told since we were children to wash our hands. Now, we also know to follow good social distancing to keep ourselves and others healthy.
2. Our bodies are more vulnerable to attack when we are not resting, exercising, and eating properly. Go to bed on time, exercise, and avoid junk food.
3. Do not try to isolate your physical health from your mental and spiritual health. All are important and connected. Stay positive and read Psalm 91, avoid hysteria, stay connected (skype, text, call) and safely help friends , family, neighbors, and elderly.
So, click HERE to read the Bible, and click HERE for the Center of disease Control (CDC) web page. Both are important.
Prayer: Dear God, We wait for you to rebuke this storm. As we wait, may we find refuge in you and comfort in your promises. LORD hear our prayer. Amen.
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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