COVID-19 – Physically Dangerous or Spiritually Binding?

I am interrupting the flow of my blog topics to address something that needs to be addressed from the perspective of our King Jesus… the Coronavirus.

I decided to take a trip to Walgreens last night on my way home. All I wanted to buy was a couple of my favorite strawberry lemonade drinks and some hand-sanitizer (for those of you who know me, I have had hand-sanitizer in my home and car since I started driving). As I walk in, I notice a couple standing in the paper-towel and toilet-paper isle filling two full shopping carts of single-roll toilet-paper. I giggled to myself as I headed to the coolers.

This couple made it to the check out before I did and ended up purchasing 140 single rolls of toilet paper. 140 ROLLS! Y’all, I’m going to be a little informal in my writing today because I want to talk to you as my dear sisters in Christ.

Take a deep breath, and let it go.

This coronavirus is not the end of the world, but it’s clearly an indication of your faith.

I am not here to condemn you if you’ve been anxious, fearful, or even hysterical, but I do want to love you back to a sound mind. I have spent a significant amount of time with the Lord on this particular subject. I am excited to share the detailed conversation the Lord and I exchanged over the past couple of days regarding this pandemic.

It seems to me that churches are crumbling under their lack of faith and inadequacies on how we, as Christians, are supposed to be responding. I must say, for me, I have never felt more at peace in my own heart as I watch the world panic with such urgency and hysteria.

First, let me tell you what I love about God… God is, well, God. When He created man in His image, He already had the knowledge of this specific thread of coronavirus leaking through the countries during 2019-2020. (In fact, He knew exactly where it would start and who would be responsible for the outbreak.) It doesn’t seem to be in God’s nature to create human vessels unable to withstand physical illnesses presented over many centuries. Trust me when I say, God is not worried about the threat of coronavirus against His children, nor is He insecure in His ability to heal, restore, perfect, and even resurrect our vessels to full health. So, if you’re thinking this virus is going to wipe out earth’s entire population…. the answer is no. It won’t. The truth is, the majority of the population here in the United States will not be severely affected.

Even if your health or immune system is temporarily compromised, for the time being, our God is still in control of your life and everything that concerns it. This virus floating around does not unsettle our King. He is, however, concerned with our hearts and where they have been as we respond to the pandemic happening across the globe.

Second, yes, we live in a fallen world. Sicknesses and diseases are a result of sin, so while we are in this world, we will continue to see and experience the effects of sickness. However, who of us can add a single hour to our lives by worrying? Matthew 6:25-34 – the entire passage- makes it clear how Jesus feels about us worrying about our lives. Which brings me to my next question?

Why on earth would I stop living, just so I can keep living longer?

While the world runs around in chaos buying 140 single rolls of toilet paper, there are people still living in darkness, people still without a Savior, and people still dying without the knowledge of the grace of Jesus. I could spend the next 2-3 months quarantined in my home in fear of contracting the coronavirus, or I can put my feet into motion and continue moving forward with the assignments God has given me.

If something like the coronavirus keeps us bound up in anxiety and fear, and keeps us from sharing the Gospel with our neighbors, friends, and strangers, how can we expect to “stand firm in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13) when situations become more severe? As they will. There are many more severe disasters ahead of us than there have been behind us. How firm is your faith?

We cannot get distracted by viruses, diseases, war, natural disasters, and persecution. We need to expect them with the understanding that God has already determined they WILL come upon this earth– the entire book of Revelation confirms this. But, our minds have to remain on Christ and not on these earthly things happening all around us. If you plan on sticking around and being a soldier for Christ, then you need to readjust your mind and understand that this is only the beginning of what is still left to come. And I don’t know about you, but I plan on sticking around and completing everything God planned for me to do in advance… through the disasters and all.

The coronavirus has also proven to be a massive distraction to the people of God and the assignments God has already commanded us to do– both Church-wide and individually. People are lost. People need Jesus. If we stop living for Him just to protect our lives from the coronavirus (or anything else), people will keep dying without Him.

Are you distinguishable amongst the world with how you are responding to this world-wide pandemic? Are you talking and thinking like unbelievers who have no faith? Are you withholding your resources to safe-guard your home instead of tithing to the Church? Our lives have to look different if we want to impact the world with the power of Christ within us. And the peace of our mind should transcend all our understanding. Does it?

Lastly, I want to encourage you. What Kingdom-Mission were you involved in before the coronavirus outbreak? What was the last thing God instructed you to do? Think about what your calling is, what mission God had already set in motion for you, and continue moving forward in Him. Do not let this pandemic keep you from being obedient to complete whatever it is that God has been telling you to do.

Your days are numbered. You cannot add a single hour to your life. When you’re in His will, being obedient to Him and remaining in His will, He will accomplish everything He desires to do through you.

So, wash your hands. Get your toilet paper. Do your part to avoid contributing to the spread. And when it’s time to go to sleep, close your eyes in peace and praise the Lord for being the only One who sustains you.

“Today is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24).