No Fear

Excessive fearfulness and over-the-top hysteria are paralyzing our world with the advent and rapid spread of the dreaded Coronavirus. This is not just my take on the current state of affairs. It is being echoed by many medical professionals, including Infectious Disease Specialist, Abdu Sharkawy. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2809958409125474&id=100003340269924

The medical threat is unquestionably serious, but the mass hysteria is nothing short of alarming and out of control and is causing serious, escalating medical and financial repercussions that could be avoided.

I want to jump right to the heart of the matter. Why are so many people so paranoid, panicked, and debilitatingly fearful about this Coronavirus? In a nutshell, my guess is because they fear the possibility of pain, death and ultimate loss for themselves or for those they love; broken hearts and dreams; lives forever changed in a breathtakingly devastating way. Their only hope is in the good things and in the precious relationships which this earthly life has to offer, instead of in the One who gave these blessings, and losing any part of that is unbearable.

My friends, if our hopes, happiness, meaningfulness and fulfillment in life are based solely on good health, good relationships, and good finances alone, we are truly in trouble. It’s just not possible to have it all, all the time, or much of the time, for that matter–not that kind of “all.” And, ultimately, they don’t bring lasting satisfaction.

We live in a broken, sinful world. It is impossible for anyone to escape illness, loneliness, losses of one kind or another, broken-heartedness, and death. We will face the first four regularly in our lifetimes; we will face physical death only when the days that God has ordained for us come to a close–not a moment sooner, not a moment later–that is, if you believe in the sovereignty of God. If you don’t, there is every reason to live fearfully, Coronavirus or not. The truth is, no matter what precautions we and others take, the Coronavirus will not be the cause of our death or the ones we love without the divine plan and purpose of God in effect–for His glory and for our ultimate good. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t act responsibly in light of the health crisis, but we shouldn’t live irresponsibly and in an uninformed way, either, being easily swayed by the latest winds of terrorized thinking.

I understand the temptation to despair in the midst of adverse circumstances, particularly in light of the massive stroke my husband experienced last June. I understand the temptation to be fearful and anxious, especially when the medical staff offers little hope for recovery and/or a productive life. I understand the struggle to stay strong and trust God when circumstances appear dismal. I understand a broken heart as deeply as a heart could be broken when things take a turn for the worse and you have to release your hopes and dreams for yourself and for your loved one. I understand the loneliness and ever-present sense of loss that follow. But I also understand the peace that passes all understanding because of unswerving faith in my God whose perfect love casts out fear. I understand that I will see my beloved one day and we can celebrate together, forever, in heaven.

Scripture is full of peace-filling and soul-strengthening truths that have sustained me throughout my lifetime but, especially, in the past year. To share a few:

“But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1-3

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? If then you cannot even do a very little thing, why are you anxious about other matters?” (Luke 12:25-26).

“Peace I leave with you; I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35 37-39

We will all physically die one day. But we will all live spiritually forever; the question is, where? Here’s the thing. If your faith is placed in God, you have nothing to fear. It doesn’t mean you won’t ever struggle with fear, but it means you have no cause to fear. Those who don’t believe in God and in His Son have every reason to fear both during this lifetime and afterwards. I’m not being an alarmist. I just believe what the Bible says. At a time when fear is at an all-time high, why not put your faith solely in our heavenly, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent Father, who loves us and sent His Son to die for our sins? If you already belong to Him, believe Him. Trust that He is truly in control. Have no fear, for the right reasons.