What I Do
Focus on the Lord Jesus - Hebrews 1: 3 tells me that Jesus "upholds ALL things by the Word of His power ..." That's really all I need to focus on. This reminds me that as a child of God, saved by His grace, that my Lord has got this. Whether we find a solution or not, I know that my Lord is not sitting on His Holy throne wondering where this virus came from. Because of His omniscience He has always known that this season would come at this time. He IS Lord of heaven and earth and the world stays together simply because He wills it to do so. When He decides to stop upholding it, then He will draw it to a close. This is what I focus on. Every minute. Every hour. Every day. Every week. Day by day.
Pray for wisdom and understanding - As much as this may surprise you, I am not the most brilliant person to ever exist (hardee har har). So, there is still much of this that confuses me or causes some unsettlement. So, I focus on the Lord and then I ask Him to give me a heart of gracious understanding. No, I am not asking for insights into the virus, but rather how other people are responding to it. Thus far the Lord has helped me to see that many people are responding in fear. This is what He wants me to understand. So I strive to be lovingly considerate toward people because they have legitimate fears about their health, their income, and their loved ones. I know that Jesus has compassion for us and we each should strive to exude that same compassion.
Pray for those who have actually contracted the virus - I am thankful that, at least for now, none of my family or friends have contracted the virus. But countless families cannot say the same. Each day we hear of even more that have tested positive and are facing what may prove to be life-altering. So I pray for these people that I do not know. I pray for them to see God's hand of love and grace through this. I pray that effective treatment will be readily and quickly available. I also pray that if they do not know Jesus as Savior that this may be the circumstance that causes them to see how fragile life is and their need to settle the issue of their eternal life by placing faith in Jesus Christ.
What I Don't Do
I don't live in fear of it - I know that I am just as susceptible to this virus as the next person. I have followed all of the requests of the President to practice social distancing and good hygiene. I have washed my hands more in the last two weeks than I ever have at any other time. But I will not wonder if every door knob or every person that surpasses the 6 foot rule toward me is contaminated. This is simply no way to live. I will be careful. But I will not live in fear. If I contract this, even then I will not live in fear. My life is in God's hands and His hands are not only clean, but righteous.
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)I don't consume myself with the news or social media - Honestly it gets very old seeing it on every news outlet and virtually every social media post. It is here, there, and everywhere. All that is required of me personally each day is to look at 10 minutes of the morning or evening news and I know all I need to know for the day. I am not going to read countless news articles and posts or listen to unending repetitive talk-show celebrities.
I don't think this is a time for politics and partisanship - We all know that the Republicans and Democrats have never been so divided as they are now. They can't give in on anything and it is so sad. It is the worst display of power-mongering ever forced upon our great nation. Gone are the days when they weren't that far apart on most issues. Hatred has literally become the reality within our congressional halls. They do not seem to understand this biblical truth:
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)If there was ever a time for both sides to lay down their arms, it is now.
I don't panic shop - I have tried my best to understand the panic shopping (especially with regard to TP). But no one has explained it enough for me to think it is or has been warranted. We go shopping as we usually do. We don't try to pile up anything. This, at least in my way of thinking, is utter selfishness. When people need staples like eggs and bread and there is none to be found, heaven help us all. This mentality of I'm-gonna-get-mine-and-I-don't-care-if-there-is-any-left-for-anyone-else is a sad indictment of the culture in which we live.
The Book of Acts reveals that the early Christians shared everything with each other and did all they could to make sure that all were taken care of. The second chapter says:
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.When I go to the store and see empty shelves caused by the utterly selfish, I am resolved to not partake in such selfishness.
This is how I am facing coronavirus.
God bless you!
Tony Guthrie
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