This week I want to share with you some of the most inspiring and hope-filled comments/messages I have found as the world moves through this coronavirus pandemic….
“God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1.7
“The Lord is my light and salvation of whom shall I fear. The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, the mountains fall into the sea, the waters roar, and the hills shake.” Psalm 46:1-3
“I really think that God is bringing immense clarification in this time. That life is short and precious. That our hope is always heaven. That meaning is found in connection and love for our neighbors. And that there is peace in the midst of the valleys because God is with us.” Pastor Jeff
The best thing we can do right now is seek God and pray
8 Things the Coronavirus Should Teach Us
1. Our Fragility – This global crisis is teaching us how weak we are as human beings. The words of the psalmist ring true: “The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind [or COVID-19] blows over it and it is gone and its place remembers it no more” (Ps. 103:15–16). And by reminding us to not take our lives on this earth for granted. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).
2. Our Equality – This virus doesn’t respect ethnic boundaries or national borders. It’s not a Chinese virus; it’s our virus. 77 countries and counting have been contaminated. We’re all members of the human family, created in the image of God (Gen. 1:17). The color of our skin, the language we speak, our accents, and our cultures count for nothing in the eyes of a contagious disease. In our suffering, in the pain of losing a loved one, we are completely equal.
3. Our Loss of Control – We all love to be in control. We fancy ourselves captains of our destiny, masters of our fate. We can control significant parts of our lives. But perhaps this sense of control is an illusion, a bubble that the coronavirus has popped, revealing the reality that we’re not really in control. Armed with our disinfectant sprays, we try to lower the risks of being infected. Nothing wrong with this activity. But are we in control of the situation? Hardly.
4. The Pain We Share in Being Excluded – A few days ago a member of our church traveled to northern Italy. On her return, she was excluded from a dinner with work colleagues. She was told it would be better for her not to come due to her recent travels up north. Obviously, this distancing hurt her. Being excluded and isolated isn’t an easy thing, since we were created for relationship. But many people now are having to deal with isolation.
5. The Difference between Fear and Faith – What’s your reaction to this crisis? It’s so easy to be gripped by fear. It’s easy to see the coronavirus everywhere I look: in the air I breathe, in every physical contact, around every corner, waiting to infect me. Are we panicking? Perhaps this crisis is challenging us to react in a different way—with faith and not fear. Faith in Jesus Christ, the good shepherd. Surely only Jesus is in control of this situation; surely only He can guide us through this storm. He calls us to trust and believe, to have faith and not fear.
6. Our Need of God and Our Need to Pray – In the midst of a global crisis, how can we possibly make a difference? Often we feel so small and insignificant. But there is something we can do. We can call out to our Father in heaven. Pray for the authorities running our countries, for the medical teams treating the sick, for the men, women, and children who have been infected, for those living in red zones, for those at high risk with other illnesses, and the elderly. Pray the Lord would protect and keep us. Pray He might show mercy.
7. The Vanity of So Much of Our Lives – “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, all is vanity” (Eccles. 1:2). It’s easy to lose perspective in the midst of the madness of our lives. Our days are so filled with people and projects, work and wish lists, home and holidays, that we can struggle to distinguish the important from the urgent. We lose ourselves in the midst our lives. Perhaps this crisis is reminding us what should concern us, helping us to distinguish between what’s meaningful and meaningless. Perhaps the coronavirus is teaching us what really matters.
8. Our Hope – In a sense, the most important question is not, “What hope do you have in the face of the coronavirus?” because Jesus came to warn us of the presence of a far more lethal and widespread virus—one that has struck every man, woman, and child. A virus that ends in not only certain death, but eternal death. Our species, according to Jesus, lives in the grip of a pandemic outbreak called sin. What is your hope in the face of that virus? Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26)
Written by Mark Oden is pastor of a church in Naples, Italy. Note – I edited this some for length
From a Local Next Door Post – “Hi neighbors, I know this is an uncertain time so wanted to offer a helping hand. I’d be happy to run an errand for anyone who needs extra help. Don’t hesitate to comment below or message me!”
Finally: “God wants me to stop worrying and having anxiety so he can give me his peace and presence. I’m ready to be pulled back to shore by God today. Perfect peace.” Miss Tricia
Love you all – Pastor Jay