There has been much concern about the spread of the Covid 19 Virus (more popularly known as the Corona Virus). I have family members fearful that it will eventually come here and could cause their demise. Reality tells us there are many things in this world that could cause our demise. Although these concerns are important, the greatest enemy of this virus is the fear that it has produced around the world. We see the market reacting, we see leadership floundering, we see people preparing emergency contingencies and much more. There is so much we do not know about this sickness and that causes fear. And of course, we should align ourselves to best practices to keep illnesses at bay.
To me the greatest physical and emotional enemy of any person is fear. It is a great tool of the devil. It keeps us from trusting the Lord. What kind of fears do you possess? Do you fear getting ill, having financial setbacks, death of family members or dying or maybe whether you will make it to heaven? These are certainly all unknowns and the unknowns are what we fear the most? Those are questions that cannot be answered. They are all part of living. The only way to actually set those fears aside is to turn to God.
Most families do not lack a shortage of some kind of troubles. But we do not have to go at it alone. It can be difficult even as Christians to have faith that God is working and not to be afraid. Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:25-27) Fear robs us of life. Worry does not add a single hour to a life span. “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its trouble, it empties today of its strength” (Mary Englebrett) Jesus came to bring us peace of mind and peace of heart.
Now I am not saying that you are not supposed to have fear. It has it place but it should never consume us. “Fear” is spoken of over 500 times in the Bible. In addition to the “Fear nots” many times the Bible teaches us to “Fear God,” which really means reverence God alone and do not fear anyone or anything else. In the end, we belong to God. Trust yourself to Him. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Is. 41:10.
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