Fear, Faith, and Truth
A couple of weeks ago I went on my usual biweekly shopping trip and saw something that I never thought that I would ever see: rows of empty shelves at Walmart. Even though I should probably have expected it, I was surprised to see those empty shelves. All of us are used to seeing full rows of things that are available to be purchased at any store that we go into. But the panic over this new virus that affects all of us has caused people to buy an overload of necessities, leaving others without.
I traveled all over my city trying to find at least one package of toilet paper. I finally found one, laying on the floor of Lewis drug, apparently having fallen out of someone else’s shopping cart. However, it was not the brand that I usually buy. I picked it up, though, because we needed the toilet paper. But I paid $15 for that one package of 6 rolls. In a normal situation I would probably not even look at that particular brand of toilet paper, but in this situation I was grateful for that package.
Fear
All of the fear surrounding this coronavirus has created a confusing and troublesome world. I am not afraid of the virus, but I find myself afraid of the panic that has gripped us. I fear the insecurity of not being able to find the things that I need for my family. I fear losing our income and losing our home. I fear the “every man out for himself” attitude that pervades this panic. So many times I wish that our world would go back to normal, and I wonder if we ever will.
I find myself thinking and praying a lot, trying to find my way through the confusion. But most of the time I don’t really know what to think. One news article claims one thing, another news story claims the exact opposite. Even the atmosphere in the world has changed, as though the world has gotten just a little bit darker.
Are we really in more danger from this virus than any other virus that is floating around? Can our economy survive if we are all isolated in our own houses? So many of our local governments are taking control of our everyday lives to combat this virus. Will they give up this power when the crisis is over? Are the numbers that we keep hearing constantly true numbers, or are they being inflated? What will happen if one of my family members gets sick with this virus? Does all the extra cleaning and hand sanitizing actually make a difference?
Truth
It would be so easy to just collapse in despair. But throughout all of the confusion that I feel, deep inside my heart I find a straight narrow road to the truth. God’s truth. He has not changed, and this virus has not taken Him by surprise. In the Bible He tells us not to fear 365 times. I don’t believe that that number is a coincidence. 365 commands to not fear, one for each day of the year. I could list all of those verses, but I am only going to quote one for now.
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24: 4-8
God’s Got This!
God’s got this! Even if the worst happens, He’s still in control. This virus has not knocked any part of His creation out of His hand. When I am tempted to fear it is a chance for me to exercise my faith. But how do I exercise my faith? God gives me faith, just as He gives me every other good gift. I believe that my faith is like a muscle. The more I use it, the stronger it gets. However, I don’t believe that my faith is very strong.
But honestly, I don’t think that the strength of my faith is what matters. What’s most important is who I have faith in. God is truth. If I put my faith, no matter how small it is, in Him, then I do not need to fear. Even if I only remember that God’s got this and trust in Him, knowing that I am in His hand, then I leave very little room in my heart for fear.
Faith
In another part of myself I look around at the world and I get excited. This situation is exactly what Jesus described. We are actually seeing prophecy that was given 2000 years ago come true in our lifetime! Of all the many reasons to trust in what the Bible says, fulfilled Bible prophecy is a huge one. We are seeing things come true that were predicted 2000 years ago! Reading the prophecies is just like reading our news headlines. And Jesus said,
Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.
Luke 21:28
Wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, etc. have been happening all throughout history. But things are speeding up daily now, and we see all of these things happening constantly. When I am tempted to fear, I need to remember that He is still in control. He told us that these things would happen, and when we see them happen, to look up. He is coming soon! Even today would be great, but at the same time, each day that we are still here is another day that human beings have the opportunity to be saved. Time is running out!
What should I do?
If fear is paralyzing you, then look to Him. He promises His peace to all those who ask for it. I feel in danger of the paralyzing effects of fear quite often these days, but I believe the truth that He has got even this situation in His hands. I honestly cannot imagine living in this time without His truth and His peace. But if that is you, look to Him. He wants to save you! All you need to do is ask Him for it. The gift is free for the asking.
Click on the link below to find that gift of salvation. God willingly died so that you could spend eternity in heaven. Look to Him! He loves you with an unending and a perfect love.
