The reactions over the coronavirus have really made me stop and do some serious thinking. As Christians, the way we react to news like this speaks to our faith and trust in God. It has serious spiritual implications. Don’t get me wrong, it’s okay to prepare for the future and the unknown. Hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer is not preparation; it’s the result of sheer panic and the belief that somehow we have control over death.
What has me perplexed is that more than 600,000 people die from heart disease every year. Yet there is no shortage of space at the gym or a shortage of healthy foods. Instead, we have a shortage of fried chicken at two fast-food chicken places who are bragging about having the best chicken sandwich. There are more than 88,000 alcohol related deaths a year and yet we continue to consume alcohol. There were more than 38,000 auto related accidents in 2019, and people are still driving.
Even more notable is that this is not the first “outbreak” this decade. With the technology available there will always be opportunities to incite fear and cause alarm. So, when news such as this breaks, we have two options: panic and hide or keep living. The truth is, none of us will make it off earth alive. I don’t want my life to be controlled by fear.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
If fear does not come from God, then it must come from satan. I don’t want a part of anything that gives satan joy or any kind of foothold in my life.
God, however, wants something very different for us. God wants to be our strength and our solid rock. There are many scriptures that tell us not to fear. (I’m also including one on worry since fear often stems from worrying.)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Paul worded it so beautifully even as he sat in jail not knowing if he would live or die for Christ. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” Philippians 1:21-24
He knew that to die meant to be with Christ, so he didn’t fear death. That’s what he wanted. He also knew that God had more work for him to do on earth. That’s what he accepted. That’s the very reason that Paul could sit in a jail and write about joy. He knew what was waiting on the other side of an earthly life.
Not only do we have great examples in scripture of people who chose life over fear, I was also blessed with some earthly examples. My mom was one of the most fearless people I have ever met. She wasn’t afraid of anything. I’m still not sure where my fears come from, but it is something I have battled all of my life. I am afraid of everything.
Our son, Joshua, was another incredible example. After we learned of his heart defect, I wanted to wrap him in bubble wrap and never let him leave the house. He had other ideas. His zeal for living and lack of fear were remarkable. Doctors didn’t really know what to tell us about his heart. It was so rare to find this defect in someone while they were still living that about all they could do was keep an eye on it and watch for symptoms.
Joshua never let that slow him down. He didn’t worry himself with the “what ifs” or fear the future. If God placed an opportunity in front of him, he took it. Joshua’s eternal perspective was so solid that he could focus on sharing Christ. Like Paul, he knew that he would either live for God on earth or live with Him in Heaven and both were great options.
This doesn’t come easily to me the way it seemed to come so easily to the two of them. I wish I knew how they did it. I’m still trying. What I know is that when my life here on Earth is finished, I want to be able to stand before my Creator and my Savior and say, “I did not let fear play a part in my life.”
The truth is, we have no idea how long we will live or how we will die. God knows. Will we let fear consume us or will we keep living for eternity knowing that God is in control?
With Eyes on the Cross 
This has so much truth in it. Due to a “call back” for another mammogram followed by a breast biopsy and after a month of anxiety for me, I can read this and agree with you so much. I nearly made myself sick with anxiety over the “unknown”, all for nothing. It was not cancer or anything at all. I’m fine, the procedure wasn’t nearly as bad as I had imagined in my head. I too am afraid of everything! Thanks for these encouraging words. I love you sweet lady!
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