A Christian Response to Coronavirus
Even when coronavirus seems out of control, we get to pray to an in-control, all-knowing and all-powerful God. Pray with Pastor Mark Schilling and me in this video and trust God to equip you to be the courageous one in the middle of chaos!
Participate in prayer with us by watching below.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
- Psalm 46:1-3
The below text has been repurposed from my weekly Freedom Devotionals sent on 3/11/20
Hi friend,
Have you been washing those hands with a deeper level of aggression and attention these days because of coronavirus?
I know I have.
Have you been feeling the weight of the unknown as it seems chaos is swirling all around?
Travel plans canceled,
conferences rescheduled,
churches not asking you to greet your neighbor with a handshake,
schools closing their doors in an effort to protect the community.
People are taking precautions, and they should...
Yes, we get to be smart.
But there's a difference between being smart and having fear sideline you in a corner paralyzed.
I love what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 46 (above) - he's affirming that God is Israel's "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
So it had me thinking...
“What am I declaring and affirming as truth when it seems as if trouble is brewing? What am I declaring and affirming as truth when my circumstance may seem difficult?”
refuge - The Hebrew word used in Psalm 46:1 refers to a place of refuge and creates an image of a stronghold. It's emphasizing God’s protection.
strength - The Hebrew word used emphasizes God’s power to protect or save
AS A BELIEVER IN JESUS:
We have courage that comes from the strength of God.
We aren't alone and get to be dependent on a loving God.
He. Is. Good.
He protects.
He provides.
He is powerful.
God's help is always accessible and available. He's a God who controls the wind and the waves. Just as Psalm 46:8 says, "Come and see what the Lord has done!"
As your eyes stay fixed on Him, no matter what destruction or disturbance comes your way, may we still praise Him and declare "come and see what He has done!"
He's in motion, even when things feel motionless.
God is good... and everyone yelled at their computer screens, "ALL THE TIME!"
I do want to make sure I'm communicating this as effectively as I can.
God is sovereign and if you believe in Jesus, you have a Savior.
He's in process of redeeming the broken, chaotic and sin-filled humanity. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we're on the road to restoration, just like the Psalmist was doing. And for those of you who are facing the REALITIES of a weakened immune system or concerning symptoms, I am PRAYING for you!
As a collective, there are some practical stuff we can do as well:
don't panic
pray
use discernment
wash your hands
be wise
practice social distancing as your community leaders advise
and most importantly, remember that your hope is found in Jesus.
And as a half-glass-full kinda gal, I want to find God's goodness all around us, even when it feels grim.
We get to declare God's goodness and bring Him glory even if the middle of a coronavirus outbreak. Let’s continue to pray and trust God for healing, wholeness, and the opportunity to demonstrate His love in a real and tangible way.
Nothin’ but love for you!
