The coronavirus continues to dominate the news and people continue to panic. As I wrote in last week’s blog, Headlines Are Designed to Generate Fear: God Says “Fear Not!”
But did you notice that last week the media took a break from incessant coverage of the coronavirus to focus on the Democrat primaries! Even though preventative advice tells us not to participate in large groups or crowds, all that fear seemed to dissipate as supporters crowded together in ballrooms to watch the primary results or listen to their candidate!
Were these participants all tested for the virus before they entered the room? I think not!
Then there’s the masses of people shopping at COSTCO frantically trying to snag the last roll of toilet paper as it disappears from the shelves along with bottled water vanishing like we were preparing for a drought.
I’m not insinuating that you shouldn’t be cautious and prepared, but at our local COSTCO in a state that hasn’t had one case of coronavirus as of this writing, checkout lines wrapped around the store and limits are now imposed on how much hand sanitizer and toilet paper customers can purchase. Again, what about warnings to avoid crowds?!
As the panic ensues, people aren’t always making sensible choices to protect themselves and their families. If you don’t drink much bottled water at home, why buy cases of bottled water? There’s no threat to our water supply. And why a run on toilet paper?
When healthy people hoard items, they become unavailable for those who are sick and might really need them!
The advice from the CDC is basic health practices:
- Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands
- Avoid close contact with sick people
If you are sick, you can protect others by:
- Staying home until you are well
- Avoiding close contact with others
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing
- Keep objects and surfaces in your home or workspace clean and disinfected
I’ve also read about taking extra Vitamin C, elderberry, and zinc, eat healthy, get plenty of rest, and exercise.
Do you notice anything missing on these lists?
What would God add to the top of the list?
Prayer!
Panic Never Helps, But Prayer Does!
Every expert I’ve heard interviewed stresses, “Don’t panic!” A panic response will only make you, and the people around you, miserable and fearful. It’s the exact opposite of what God would have you do.
Panic does NOT originate with God. Have you ever seen a verse where God encourages panic? Jesus is the “Prince of Peace!”
“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
God tells us that the answer to our world problems is to pray!
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
I am a contributing writer for Crosswalk.com and last week I took an assignment to write an article titled “5 Powerful Prayers for Peace Amidst Pandemic Fear.”
Notice this doesn’t say amidst a coronavirus pandemic; fear has become the pandemic!
I felt the Lord guiding me as I wrote those 5 prayers and Crosswalk put the article into a slideshow with perfect photos. Amazingly, the picture on the last slide looks just like where I live in Idaho.
Because of copyright agreements, I can’t post the article here for you, but I’ll post the introduction and then the link to continue reading. I want each of you to feel the comfort of the prayers and accompanying Scriptures. It’s the best I have to offer you this week.
If you follow me on Facebook, you may have read this article already, but I would encourage you to read it again because these prayers are evergreen—they can apply to any world or personal crisis.
5 Powerful Prayers for Peace Amidst Pandemic Fear
In unsettling times, we find our peace in the presence of the Lord. He is the only one who can effectively prevent the contagious epidemic of fear.
Yet, we live in a fallen world that keeps us fearfully treading from one crisis to the next. It seems like every morning we wake up to a new peril: virus pandemics, new flu strains, Ebola, recessions, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, fires…even the threat of other countries attacking us.
Then there are our own financial, physical, relational, health, and personal crises that often catch us by surprise and strike terror into our hearts. We feel helpless as events spin out of our control. KEEP READING
I love this, it is solaceto my soul. Thank you for these verses.
I’m glad you have peace Pervell. I hope you also followed the link at the bottom of the post to read the Crosswalk blog. There are many verses there too. That might have been what you were referencing.