Stay Calm in the Midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Novel Coronavirus or Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic outbreak that has now spread to almost the entire world. The rapid transmission of this virus has made the global community afraid. People are stockpiling daily necessities because they worry their movement will become increasingly restricted. Masks and antiseptic products have become scarce because everyone wants to protect themselves.

What the world needs most right now is hope. So, will we who claim to be children of God fall into despair? Is not faith trusting in what we have not yet seen? What should we do as followers of Christ?

In the midst of this situation full of panic and fearful anxiety, we need to continually pray, hold fast to God's word, and care for our personal and family health. But when fear keeps gripping your life, strengthen your heart and mind with these three things:

1. The Truth Will Set You Free

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:32

Since the virus corona spread throughout the world, we have not been able to go about our activities as freely as usual. Some people have even had to stay in quarantine locations and isolate themselves. Several countries with fairly widespread virus transmission have already carried out lockdown and restricted the movement of their residents. In Indonesia, most schools have implemented a study-from-home system. Offices have also implemented a work from home (WFH) system as a practical expression of the government's and WHO's recommendation for social distancing from the government and WHO (World Health Organization). 

Besides these activity restrictions, many people are also ruled by a sense of helplessness. Feelings of fear, panic, and anxiety cover our daily lives. Every second, information about the virus corona fills our social media feeds. As more and more people become infected, our fear increases as well. It is as though we have lost our freedom, both physically and mentally.

So then, what does God's word mean when it says that “the truth” will set us free? 

Free from What?

He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” – Matthew 8:26a

There are 365 verses in the Bible that contain the words “do not fear.” Fear is a doorway to sin, because it shows that our faith is not greater than our problems. The same is true of worry. When anxiety and fear make us depend more on ourselves or on things outside of God, we will fall into sin. 

Jesus said to them: “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” – John 8:34

What Kind of Truth?

God's word is truth. The truth that the Lord is our God, who controls all things. Also that the Lord we have is far greater than anything else. And God's word says that He, the owner and creator of the universe, has the best plan for us, even if it may not fit our desires. The truth that God loves and protects His children. 

The Bible contains the truth that we do not need to fear death, because what we most ought to fear is eternal death, not physical death (Matthew 10:28). God has already prepared a place for us in heaven (John 14:3). If we hold firmly to all God's promises, we will live with a free. 

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mentality. In reality, many people appear free, but are actually not free. They become slaves to sin. Their lives are entangled by fear of debt, by lie after lie that they have made. They become slaves to money (living only to chase money), and even, as the trendy phrase goes, slaves to love (placing romantic love above everything else and willing to do anything for a partner). 

Believe that the freedom from God has already set us free. This does not mean that we do not need to obey government regulations or that we may behave however we please. We must still maintain cleanliness and practice social distancing. But we do not need to worry excessively. Let us live as people of faith, because does not worry fail to add even a single cubit to our span of life on earth (Matthew 6:27)?

2. God Controls Everything

Is the outbreak of the virus corona just a coincidence? If not, is this God's plan? If so, why would God plan something evil for humanity? Does not the Bible record that God loves us?

Yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. – Ecclesiastes 3:11b

There are many things in this world whose answers we do not yet know, because our knowledge of God is limited. Yet we can learn from the story of Job. In the book of Job, we are told how the life of even a very righteous person could change completely in a short time. Job suffered greatly and lost everything. And was this because God is evil? No. 

Job 1:8 actually records how proud God was of Job. God allowed Job to be tested by the devil, but He was the One controlling everything. God set limits for the devil: what could and could not be done to Job.

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“But stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. – Job 1:11-12

We want this pandemic outbreak to pass quickly. We want everything to return to normal. But we must believe that the Almighty God controls it all, and not a single thing escapes the power of His hand. If even the sparrows are not forgotten by Him and even a hair on our heads does not escape His watchful care (Luke 12:6-7), this truth will surely calm our hearts. 

The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of men; from His dwelling place He watches all the inhabitants of the earth. – Psalm 33:13-14 

3. God Will Provide a Way Out

The trials you experience are only common to humanity. God is faithful, and because of that He will not let you be tried beyond your strength. When you are tried, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

The verse above is God's promise to us. He will not test people beyond the limit of our strength. And when we experience trials, He will provide a way out.

Perhaps we cannot do much in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic corona. Yet we can do something that we believe has very great power, namely prayer. 

We can pray for those who are infected to recover. For the medical workers who are working hard on the front lines. Also for scientists, that they may soon discover an effective method of treatment. Then for government officials, that they may be given wisdom in these difficult times. We pray for the safety of everyone around the world. And also for our hearts, that they may remain focused on God.

Prayer is not an extra option nor is it a last resort when all other methods have failed. When man works, man works. But when man prays, God works! Prayer is not an additional option when every other way has failed. Man does what he is able to do. But when man prays, it is God who works!

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Indeed, the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD. He is our help and our shield! – Psalm 33:18-20

When the whole world is facing a great challenge, let us keep believing that the truth that comes from God has set us free, including from fear and worry. Believe that God controls everything, and He will provide us a way out. God never fails to keep His promises. His will will be done. God bless us!

Besides guarding your faith and persevering in prayer, also apply a number of practical steps to prevent transmission of the virus corona that you can see here.

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Related Articles:

• “I Believe in the Lord Jesus”: Saying It Is Easy, What Is the Proof?
• A Rainbow After the Rain: Remembering God's Promise in Difficult Times
• Holding On to God's Promises in Difficult Times
• Often Worried? Learn from the Sparrows
• Turning Worry into Peace. How Can We Do It?

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