The Bible says that we will experience “wars, famines and pestilence” in this life. What we are experiencing with the COVID-19 virus or Coronavirus is simply part of the fallen nature of the world, and in this case, it has affected the entire earth! Is this the beginning of the end? The quick answer is no! The truth is we live in a “fallen” world as a result of sin, the world as we know it is “broken.” God is in the business of redeeming us out of this world system.
Remember, Jesus said that we are “in the world but not of the world.” We are pilgrims or sojourners in this world. Our true home is the Kingdom of God. Our citizenship is in Heaven, and we are ambassadors representing Jesus to a fallen, broken world. Show More
Having established that we are sons, daughters, and ambassadors of God, we must understand that our relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior, entitles us to live in a state of “Hope.” Not a desperate, fear-laden hope as in “I hope it will work out well, but a confident hope an assurance, trust or faith that God is in control. He knows my situation, and He is for me and not against me. All of these statements are supported by many scripture verses, which is the Word of God; and God does not lie!
The COVID-19 or Coronavirus pandemic has caught the attention of every person in every nation of the world. It’s fitting to look at what the Word of God has to say about this sickness, and what our response should be as Christians. Our response is to “fear not”! Look at what the following scriptures say about the term “fear not”:
- Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
- Isaiah 41:13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
- Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
- John 12: 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
As believers in Jesus Christ our response should be to “fear not”. Now I agree that it is easier to say “fear not” than to live fearlessly!
The Truth about Fear
God has something to say about these three emotions!
- Worry To feel uneasy or concerned about something; be troubled. Matt 6:25-34 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…
- Anxiety Uneasy and apprehensive about an uncertain event or matter. Phil 4:6-9 “Be anxious for nothing…”
- Fear A feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger (real or perceived). 2 Tim 1:7 God has not given us the spirit of fear…
Worry, anxiety, and fear are not of God, especially when they prevent you from doing what God wants to do. Fear is natural to the human condition, but God has given us someone who can help us overcome our fears, the Holy Spirit. That is why we are encouraged to stir up the gift (singular) the Holy Spirit (daily). Stirring up the gift of the Holy Spirit means that we are operating in the anointing, fulfilling the purpose and plan of God for our lives. This process should occur in our everyday lives. Opportunities arise to pray for and with individuals and to do the works of God in Christian charity (Matt 25:31-46).
When the anointing of God is operating in our lives, we develop closeness to God, which builds our faith that He is in control. Fear, on the other hand, generally implies that you are powerless in the situation. If your focus is on fear, it can’t be on Jesus!
The more actively you involve the Holy Spirit in your daily life, the more assurance you have in His ability to care for you. Your testimony (declaring what God is doing) builds faith and confidence in Him. It is for this reason that we are encouraged not to be fearful. Being fearful forces us to “pull back.” There is a power in testifying of God’s provision that produces trust over worry; peace over anxiety and courage over fear.
Fear is part of the natural condition. Scientists call it the flight or fight reflex. That means that when we are fearful, we want to either run from the situation or resist the situation! However, some people instead of running or fighting, become paralyzed and do nothing! As Christians we have not been given the spirit of fear, which leads to paralysis.
What Should Our Response Be to Fear?
There are two sides to fear, actual fear (rational), and perceived fear (irrational). It is so important to know the difference.
- Rational – There was a real fear among the Christians who were being persecuted by the religious Jews, Acts 8:4, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” You see what the enemy meant for evil God turned for good.
- Irrational – this kind of fear magnifies the fear to unrealistic proportions and leads to disappointment, discouragement, depression.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
- Stir up as in stir up the ashes to re-kindle the fire.
- Gift of God is the Holy Spirit, His anointing
- Fear is timidity: fear.
- Power “dunamis” – force, miraculous power: ability, abundance, worker of miracles.
- Love – agape unconditional love in spite of the circumstances.
- Sound mind – discipline, self-control.
Phil 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The Key to Overcoming Fear as a Christian.
2 Cor 10:3 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
- Disappointment is Universal. Almost everyone has been disappointed at one time or another.
- Disappointment is Recurring. You may overcome disappointment one week, only to face it again the next.
- Disappointment is Contagious. Watch out for those who want to pull you down by indulging in negativity and self-pity.
- Discouragement is Unpredictable. You never know when it will strike you or a loved one.
- Disappointment is Temporary. It will pass if you respond correctly.
Don’t allow disappointment, which is an unfulfilled hope or expectation to turn into discouragement, which is a loss of hope.
Meditate on this verse as you face life this week, Psalms 31:24, “Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.
