The Bible tells us how to respond when we experience significant life stressors like during this season we are in with the Coronavirus.
Principles that we find as themes throughout the Bible are there for us so that we can handles the various trials that we experience.
Principles such as – Do Not Worry. Trust God. Depend on God.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus gives us instructions regarding worry.
“….. do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34
Two phrases stick out to me in the above verses. You are much more valuable than the birds of the air that God cares for. He loves you so much more than animals…. and he provides for animals, so he will certainly provide for you. And Jesus tells us what to do instead of worrying. He asks us to seek His kingdom and his righteousness.
In times of stress like the coronavirus, God wants us to turn to himself and his ways. He wants us to put our complete faith in himself.
Stressful times, or trials, are times in which we have an opportunity to strengthen our faith and our relationship with God. God desires that we grow closer to himself.
During this coronavirus season God is calling you and all believers to draw near to himself. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 As you are intentional in turning your heart and mind towards God, he will make himself know to you. He will provide you the peace that you desire to have in times of stress.
Jesus is your peace! “For he himself is our peace.” Ephesians 2:14.
As you place your trust in God and understand that he is in control, you can navigate these coming weeks and months of this coronavirus season with calm and peace. God will give you wisdom. His Spirit, who lives within you, will guide you.
And, this will enable you to be a good neighbor to others. You can be an even brighter light to those who do not yet know our loving and faithful Father in heaven.
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