While talking to a Christian gentleman who frequents my gym, I told him about a conversation I had with my granddaughter. She was fearful after listening to adults who were talking about nothing but the Coronavirus. It was not her parents. She just needed to be encouraged and reassured that all was going to be fine. He responded that he had witnessed more fear in the adults than the children. I shared with him my testimony; “Mike, when Mark (my husband) was first diagnosed with Multiple Systems Atrophy (a rare and degenerative neurological disease), I lived in fear for almost a year. It was miserable!!! But, God clearly showed me that fear and faith cannot coexist. Fear is of the enemy. If Satan can cause us to live in fear, we will live in a state of hopelessness. Fear grips and debilitates—it renders us hopeless and helpless! I refuse to live that way! Especially when I don’t have to. I serve an all-powerful Sovereign God.”
If we truly believe God is sovereign over our lives, the world, and the Coronavirus, then we are neither helpless nor hopeless. The problem we face is that we live in a culture that has sold people on the belief that they can control their own happiness, future, and ultimately their destiny. But, you can’t! And the result of that false teaching is becoming evident, causing people to panic and live fearful lives. They have no control—but then they never really did—they just thought they did. God created the earth, and He controls the earth. God created you, and He controls your life and mine.
If you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior and are living for Him and not yourself, there is good news—you have nothing to fear! You serve a God that can be trusted. Exercise your faith and trust Him. You will have peace and rest for He is a God of peace and rest. He can be trusted with every aspect of your life.
If you are struggling with fear, reflect on the verses below to see what God has to say about it…
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:4
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4
And my favorite…
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
In the New American Standard Bible the phrase “do not fear” appears 57 times and “do not be afraid” appears 46 times. God knew our human tendency would be to become fearful, so He provided the reassurance we would need in His Word. I want to encourage you as Christians to exhibit a spirit of peace, rest, and hope during these days.
This too shall pass, and life will resume. Hopefully, not as it was, but with a new perspective on life and the blessings we enjoy as Americans. May we be more thoughtful of those around us, more giving, more helpful, and more loving.
Thomas Watson said, “If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.”
“My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Dianne