“I care not today what tomorrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,
And all my worries are vain.”
We are seeing fear sweep across the world. Not because of war. Not because of terrorism. Because of a virus. Never in our lifetimes has an event had such a shared, global impact. Entire cities, even states are being shut down. Some hospitals are experiencing the worst. Others are bracing for the worst. The reports and warnings provide little encouragement, and the degree of severity varies. Many areas are particularly hard hit while others are not. Yet it’s coming we are told. Hideous, full-color pictures of an alien looking creature covered with numerous suckers, eager to invade our bodies. There is no solution except to hide from it. Most will suffer very little while others might face the shadow of death.
People are not just afraid of the virus; they are of afraid of each other. I’ve seen it in their eyes. Several times I’ve encountered someone who would look up at me over the top of their mask and I could see fear. If I approach, they quickly turn and go another way. Panic has led to hoarding. The threat is real. But the reaction…. How do you practice caution without becoming enslaved by fear?
By knowing who you are and knowing Who’s you are. No one wants to suffer, and no one wants to die. But we are to be a people of faith who trust our life to the author of life. We are to “not fear what can kill the body but cannot touch the soul” (Matt. 10:28).
Our cares, desires, and hopes should be of heaven. To know Him. To be like Him. To follow Him. I don’t know what tomorrow may bring, but may it bring me closer to Him. “Do not worry about what will happen tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matt. 6:34). Practicing caution is wise, but when trouble comes, whatever the shape it takes, fear not, for we, “rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91)
“Living by faith, in Jesus above.
Trusting confiding in His great love;
Safe from all harm, in His sheltering arm.
I’m living by faith, and feel no alarm.”
James Wells
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,
And all my worries are vain.”
We are seeing fear sweep across the world. Not because of war. Not because of terrorism. Because of a virus. Never in our lifetimes has an event had such a shared, global impact. Entire cities, even states are being shut down. Some hospitals are experiencing the worst. Others are bracing for the worst. The reports and warnings provide little encouragement, and the degree of severity varies. Many areas are particularly hard hit while others are not. Yet it’s coming we are told. Hideous, full-color pictures of an alien looking creature covered with numerous suckers, eager to invade our bodies. There is no solution except to hide from it. Most will suffer very little while others might face the shadow of death.
People are not just afraid of the virus; they are of afraid of each other. I’ve seen it in their eyes. Several times I’ve encountered someone who would look up at me over the top of their mask and I could see fear. If I approach, they quickly turn and go another way. Panic has led to hoarding. The threat is real. But the reaction…. How do you practice caution without becoming enslaved by fear?
By knowing who you are and knowing Who’s you are. No one wants to suffer, and no one wants to die. But we are to be a people of faith who trust our life to the author of life. We are to “not fear what can kill the body but cannot touch the soul” (Matt. 10:28).
Our cares, desires, and hopes should be of heaven. To know Him. To be like Him. To follow Him. I don’t know what tomorrow may bring, but may it bring me closer to Him. “Do not worry about what will happen tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matt. 6:34). Practicing caution is wise, but when trouble comes, whatever the shape it takes, fear not, for we, “rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91)
“Living by faith, in Jesus above.
Trusting confiding in His great love;
Safe from all harm, in His sheltering arm.
I’m living by faith, and feel no alarm.”
James Wells