In this pandemic, where fear and panic grip the hearts of many, there are a lot of opinions and insights being thrown around by different people; so many voices telling me to do this or that in the news or on social media.
For someone like me, who struggles with anxiety, this can be overwhelming. But as a follower of Christ, I know there is only one completely reliable source of truth: God's Word. It confronts fear and anxiety differently from the world’s way.
God overcame sin and death
The gospel narrative tells us that because the first man disobeyed God, sin entered into the world and spread to all men, with death resulting as its ultimate penalty (Rom. 5:12). This death can be viewed on three levels:
physical, which includes sickness, pain, etc. which eventually leads to physical death;
soul, as we replace God with something else; and
spiritual, separation from God which leads to eternal damnation.
But God in His love and mercy saved and redeemed His people through the death of Jesus (Rom. 5:8). He rose from the dead, evidence that He was indeed triumphant over sin and its consequence, death. And in this, everyone who believes in Him as Savior and as Lord (Rom. 10:9) are justified, sanctified and eventually glorified (Rom. 8:30) for an eternal life with God. What a sweet and costly truth that our Lord Jesus rescued me from sin and death!
God commands us not to fear and worry
Christians confess Jesus as Lord, and rightly so. Lordship means following Him and His commands. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells His disciples not to worry, but rather seek and follow Him (Matt. 6:25-34). It is not a suggestion, but a command.
Fear and anxiety often sets in when we are faced with something beyond our control, threatening us or someone we love. God commands us to follow Him, not because He is a self-absorbed tyrant who cares little for our worries, but because He knows us, and wants us to know He is always in control (Matt. 6:32b; Psalm 147:5). Nothing is a surprise to Him. Just think about this: God created everything, and everything is subject to Him. Even after Adam sinned, He showed that He knows and is able to make a way for man to be reconciled to Him (see Gen 3:15, 21). And He accomplished it. He is a sovereign God.
But that’s not all: God also takes care of His own. In His love, He chooses to take care of His people, undeserving as we are (Matt. 6:30). God in His overflowing love, who did not spare His Son to save us, how much more is He willing to give us what we really need? Of course, what we need may not be what we think we need. He is the Good Shepherd, who gives His life for His sheep and knows what is truly good for us (John 10:11-18; Psalm 23).
How Now Shall We Live?
Believers have a responsibility to spiritually feed themselves (Jos. 1:7-8; Psa. 1; Matt. 4:4). I cannot stress this enough. It is always easy to adapt to a new normal without being changed internally. This is a wake up call for believers, and should make us hungry for the spiritual nourishment that comes from God's Word, which the Spirit uses to change us and our perspective in everything (Rom. 12:2).
Live in hope, courage and confidence in the now, because He is with us now, and we will be spending eternity with Him in heaven someday. (Phil 1:18-30; Col. 3:2; Heb. 13:5-6)
Encourage fellow believers. There may be brothers or sisters who are distressed; strengthen them by God's promises. Encouragement also is seen when we genuinely show our love through empathy. (Rom. 12:9-15)
For those with families, lead by example. Pursue greater patience, love, mutual understanding, and practice forgiveness and asking forgiveness when needed. (Eph. 5:22-6:4; 1 Tim. 3:1-5,8-13)
And pray. Pray for an increase of faith within the church. As God is the Giver of faith, let us ask Him to give us eyes to see and a heart to believe in His ever-continuing goodness and love for us, as He does so deeply. (Rom. 8:35-39)
Pray for the pastors and leaders of the church to be receptive to God's guidance and direction as they guide us. (Heb. 13:7, 17)
Pray for the world, that through the Spirit and the Word proclaimed, people may come to see their need for our Savior in this pressing time.
As my wife always reminds me, faith is not something abstract. It is tested and seen especially when it meets hardships (see 1 Pet. 1:6-7). May we live our lives for the “chief end” laid out in the Westminster Catechism: “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Even in this pandemic.