Faith or Fear
Nothing in our lifetime has ever seized our nation, our 24-7 conversations, or our thoughts like the Covid-19 pandemic. The impact on health, on families, on jobs, on the economy, on the future – it is a shock to our whole way of life!
We all have a choice to respond to this pandemic in Fear or in Faith.
Fear and anxiety can eat you up. It can start small, but then grow and spread like weeds in the heart, until you are consumed with worry about your own safety, your family members and friends, your finances, your nation’s stability.
Is there a way to overcome fear? Is true peace of mind possible in a pandemic?
Deep inner peace starts with a faith relationship with Jesus. He assures his own, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Trusting Jesus is the key to exchanging Worry for Peace. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)
Prayer and trusting God is not a good luck charm. It’s a personal relationship of relying on One whose Throne is all-powerful, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted,” (Job 42:2), and who directs that power to graciously help us in our “time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15) Abba means Daddy or Papa. God’s perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). Nothing – not even the most severe trials – can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).
For the believer, trials may come, but the are intended to leave us purified (James 1:2-4), not petrified! Then the comfort God gives us in trial is a comfort we can share with others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). That’s why we know him as the God of hope [who will] fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
There are many epidemics recorded in the Bible, and the believer’s confidence in time of epidemic is recorded in Psalm 91:1-6. Read on down to verses 15-16, and see it is a call to prayer. So:
Don’t just wash your hands. Fold them in prayer!
(To find peace, meditate. Let your heart be marinated with the Scriptures cited above.)
We all have a choice to respond to this pandemic in Fear or in Faith.
Fear and anxiety can eat you up. It can start small, but then grow and spread like weeds in the heart, until you are consumed with worry about your own safety, your family members and friends, your finances, your nation’s stability.
Is there a way to overcome fear? Is true peace of mind possible in a pandemic?
Deep inner peace starts with a faith relationship with Jesus. He assures his own, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Trusting Jesus is the key to exchanging Worry for Peace. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)
Prayer and trusting God is not a good luck charm. It’s a personal relationship of relying on One whose Throne is all-powerful, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted,” (Job 42:2), and who directs that power to graciously help us in our “time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15) Abba means Daddy or Papa. God’s perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). Nothing – not even the most severe trials – can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).
For the believer, trials may come, but the are intended to leave us purified (James 1:2-4), not petrified! Then the comfort God gives us in trial is a comfort we can share with others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). That’s why we know him as the God of hope [who will] fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
There are many epidemics recorded in the Bible, and the believer’s confidence in time of epidemic is recorded in Psalm 91:1-6. Read on down to verses 15-16, and see it is a call to prayer. So:
Don’t just wash your hands. Fold them in prayer!
(To find peace, meditate. Let your heart be marinated with the Scriptures cited above.)
