It’s everywhere…whether or not we want to talk about it, Coronavirus seemingly infiltrates our conversations, news broadcasts, and social media feeds.

This word…this virus…can instill much fear in our hearts globally.

Fear of the “what ifs,” the unknown, what events do we choose to attend or forgo?

At times, in allowing these various outlets and their messages to enter my mind, fear and anxiety can well up and lay heavy upon my heart. My mind can run with potential scenarios: how this might affect our family, church, community, and ultimately our world?

Maybe you can relate?

Then, so subtly…a gentle whisper…almost “missable,” especially in the frantic frenzy of these past few days, he prompts. Reminding that he is with us, fully aware of all that is going on, and only in him is peace found.

I am so grateful how he washes his peace over us, as we are prompted to recall the truths of his word and his sovereignty.

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 CSB)

The great exchange: our worries and fears laid at his feet, for his peace.

Even in the unknown…when we don’t know what tomorrow holds…even if we don’t fully understand what this latest worry will bring…we can have peace.

I find myself working out on paper what I sense the Lord desiring to remind me, laying out truths I need to rest in. May he tether our hearts to himself.

The One who “holds the whole world in his hands,” that well-known children’s song many of us sung in our early years, with simple faith and belief.

He is Not Caught By Surprise

“He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.” (Psalm 121:3-4 CSB)

How reassuring that we do not need to lay awake at night worrying, allowing anxiety to flood our souls. God does not sleep, he is actively at work, even now…even in this.

We can rest because he does not.

“Why?” Some may ask.

“Why would a good God allow this to happen?”

I am thankful how the Bible guides us in this.

In the beginning when God created our world, he created it perfect, without sin or any consequence of sin. Adam and Eve specifically chose against God’s directive and design, falling prey to Satan’s tactics. Thus, sin entered in. Coronavirus is a ramification from that sin, a natural deviation from God’s perfect world.

Sometimes God intervenes in our lives, and does a work of the miraculous! How encouraging it can be to our faith as we personally witness or hear of this work. Scripture is full of evidences of this kind of breakthrough.

And sometimes he allows the consequences of sin to play out. This can be hard for us to wrap our minds around, resting in his sovereignty. Believing even when we feel we cannot see it, that he is a good, good Father, he is in control, and that he has an eternal perspective. He uses the hard in this life to bring people to a realization of their need for Jesus.

This Opportunity Presents…

Great conversations with our kids! As we grapple (or even if we feel like we stumble) through talking about fear, sin, death coupled with being able to rest and trust in God’s sovereignty, the gospel is clearly presented!

I love how questions allow us to hear the hearts of our kids, as they trust us with their deepest feelings. ( I hope to offer a resource to help us start these conversations with our kids on Friday, March 20….you can find the link here)

My husband gently reminds me that these conversations don’t have to be formal and rigid, they can be organic and at-ease. Throwing out a game on the dining room table for everyone to play might be the very avenue that helps to facilitate this dialogue.

The Lord is so kind to give us many opportunities throughout our days to engage our kids: commutes to school, working alongside one another while doing chores, bedtime or bath time.

As events and practices are being cancelled, spaces of time to do this are growing! I love how a bag of popcorn or a mugs of hot cocoa can bring everyone together.

Unique Dialogue with the Unbelieving World

“But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15 CSB)

After two separate grocery runs, I was struck by the increase frequency of random conversations with strangers. People seem quick to want to converse over what is going on.

We seem to be able to echo Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 16:9a CSB “because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me.”

What a huge opportunity as we offer grace-seasoned words of where our true hope lies, a different response than what the world is uttering.

I wasn’t so prepared on my first trip with a response, but I want to offer just a few words rather than the “expected ones” that are being tossed around so frequently.

“Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, so that I may make it known as I should. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” (Colossians 4:2-6 CSB)

What a beautiful prayer for us to target…”that God would open a door for us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ”, that we would make the most of our opportunities to engage with those around us, that our words would be timely and gracious”…

Blessings!

Part 2 of 2 is scheduled to post next Tuesday, March 24th.

Please take a moment to subscribe to my monthly blog posts here, to ensure you don’t miss part 2 and any future writings. Thank you!

special edition: COVID-19: grace NOT to fear Part 1