One of the greatest dangers at this time is to become paralysed by fear.
The most effective antidote to fear that I have found is what the Scripture says: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18.
If ever there was a time when our faith in God and the knowledge of His unconditional love for us needed to work for us, it is now!
Consider these promises of God’s love:
· “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3.
· “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below, indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.
The appearance of this virus on the human stage, has plunged the whole world into a “war-like state”.
As we grapple with finding answers to our present global crisis, I am reminded of the wisdom offered by a great military commander, Oliver Cromwell, as he inspired his troops who needed gunpowder with which to fight: “Trust God and keep your powder dry.”
At a time like this, it is essential to remind ourselves to trust God’s promises to “be with us in trouble” and His commitment to “never leave us nor forsake us”. (Psalm 91:5 and Hebrews 13:5).
However, His promises are never an excuse for us to abandon our sense of responsibility.
We all need to take seriously the wisdom regarding personal social distancing and washing our hands.
As we anticipate the challenges of the weeks ahead, it is certainly possible for us to rise to the occasion and reach out to others and so discover the joy of providing help and hope for those who are lonely and suffering.
I have faith to believe that these desperate days that lie ahead will cause many of us to be inspired to be an answer to the suffering of a quarantined or shut in neighbour.
Who knows, but that your phone call to someone, or a meal left at their door will restore hope and even the will to fight the infection?
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