The world is in panic mode as the Corona Virus has reached several countries and is creating a lot of fear. The Bible tells us we don’t need to fear yet nearly every biblical story we read involves God’s people overcoming fear.
I recently read the following on Martin Luther’s excellent response to the Bubonic Plague:
Martin Luther’s response to the outbreak of the Bubonic Plague — a disease so terrifying that when it finally stopped spreading, up to 60% of Europe’s population had died. In August of 1527 the plague struck Wittenberg and numerous people fled in fear of their lives. Martin Luther and his wife Katharina, who was pregnant at the time, remained behind. Martin Luther explained his decision:
“You ought to think this way: ‘Very well, by God’s decree the enemy has sent us poison and deadly offal. Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person, but will go freely.”‘
We aren’t the first Christians to be fearful in the face of adversity like the Corona Virus outbreak and we certainly won’t be the last. We have the same hope that we had a few months ago before we became aware of this new virus, because Jesus came to save us and no virus can’t thwart the Lord’s plan.
If you live in the United States you are aware of the extreme shortage of necessities like toilet paper and water. The Bible says in Proverbs 3:28, “Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you.” Also, Matthew 22:39, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” We should build each other up as the Bible instructs us to do. This is a great time to show love and compassion to people in such a difficult time as this. While many schools, churches, and most large gatherings have been cancelled until further notice we can still do other things to help one another and to advance the gospel.
If anything I pray this will be a time when we are challenged to do something different in our Christian walk like spending more time with family, reading, and praying. Also, don’t forget to reach out to your church family to see how they are doing, this is a great time to lean on one another.