Covid-19: Feed your Faith not your Fears
These are certainly unprecedented days we are living in here in America (and around the globe). The Covid-19 virus has brought much of our normal way of life to a screeching halt. Almost everyone has felt the impact—physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. For many the virus, if contracted would be mild. For others a battle for life would ensue. But even for those who don’t contract the virus uncertainly still remains. No one is immune from this fallout.
That reality has spurned already many sleepless nights and anxious hearts. The thought of tomorrow is already bearing upon the heavy load of today. It’s hard to walk by faith, especially when our sights are so full of fears. For many fear is seemingly overwhelming their faith.
It’s in this moment that we need to feed our faith not our fears. The one you feed more is what will prevail in your life.
Here are a couple of ways to keep your eyes of faith open and not shut by fear:
Remember who God is - He hasn’t changed; nor has he been caught off-guard. While uncertainties may abound on earth their is no confusion or chaos in Heaven. He’s still God; He’s still good; He’s still glorious, He’s still gracious; He’s still governing! Remember who He is!
Read your Bible first - In this rapidly changing situation, many of us are seeking the next update and report. We’re constantly glued to social media and news networks. When we awake in the morning, we first reach for our phones to see the new numbers—has it increased/declined, how many cases reported, how many deaths now, which stores have been resupplied, etc. Certainly all this is important information. But it can prompt us to live by fear rather than faith.
Instead first thing in the morning, reach for your Bible. Read what is true and always will be true. Find a promise from a faithful God. Stand on that promise rather than the latest report (which if it’s coming from social media, may or may not even be true).
If you need a few possible passages, consider these texts:
Psalm 46
Matthew 6:25-34
Psalm 91
Psalm 121
Isaiah 40:9-31
Romans 8:18-39
Reach out to others - It’s extremely easy in moments such as this to become self-focused. Doing so will only promote fear, as you think only of yourself and the many possibilities (yet still uncertain) of how this will all play out. Rather, seek to keep others in focus during this time. How can you continue to serve them? Perhaps there is an elderly or vulnerable neighbor that you can check up on or make store runs for. Even in these days as followers of Christ we want to look out for the interest of others (Philippians. 2:3-4; Matthew 22:39). This was the mind of Christ and should be ours too. As God uses you in these days to serve others, your faith in him will grow!
Remain connected - We’re all familiar with social distancing now, not just the introverts. In this temporary social norm resist the tendency to become entirely isolated. Stay connected to others. If your church has moved to online services make it a point to watch. With modern technology we can utilize video/camera capabilities and social media to create virtual communities temporarily. Call and check on others in your small group and faith family. Host a small group chat or video call. Spend a moment in prayer together on the phone. Connecting with others is an important part of strengthening our faith (Hebrews 10:25). While connecting may be different in these days, don’t neglect to do so.
Rest well - Fear and an anxious heart will wear you down (Proverbs 12:25; 15:13; 17:22). Make a point to rest during these days. I firmly believe that sometimes the most spiritual action we can take is to go to bed. As we lay down and sleep it’s a testimony of our faith in a God who never does (Psalm 121:3-4). In these days don’t let fear take you to fatigue. Go on a walk, look at nature, meditate on God’s glory it displays, and come home and lay your head down on the pillow of His sovereignty. Rest in him!
I’m not attempting to underplay the impact of this season we are all facing. It’s a reality and the outcome still unknown. Yet despite all of this we can choose to feed our faith over fear. When we do, we’ll discover the words of Psalm 34:8 still ring true even today….
“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”