Things are getting crazy out there, and if you listen to the media, we may be close to the end of the world! How should we respond to the threat of the coronavirus and public overreactions? Do you know how many times in the Bible it says not to be afraid? Over three hundred times! Some have said 365 times, which is at least one ‘fear not’ for every single day of the year.

Do we trust the Lord or are we leaning on our own understanding? Is our faith in God or government? Things were shut down rather quickly and it seems like state control is gradually increasing. Should this be a concern? Benjamin Franklin once said:

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” 

We all hope this is temporary. But could this be inching us closer to globalism? Big government advocates have often said never let a serious crisis go to waste, and the media sure is taking advantage of it all. The feds are spending astronomical amounts of money, so could this be a test-run for socialism or perhaps a sign of the end times? Maybe both. 

Nonetheless, fear not! Psalm 103:19 states,

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.

Yes, the coronavirus is a very real threat. We should be taking precautions, protecting our families, and making wise decisions, but step back and remember who’s in control and always has been. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10).

A.W. Tozer once said that “a scared world needs a fearless church.” People are watching how Christians respond at times like this, but it’s hard to be at peace, pray, read God’s Word or encourage people when we’re busy listening to the media, to government and others saying, ‘be very afraid!’ ‘Every man for himself.’ ‘You get the toilet paper, I’ll grab the hand sanitizer!’

Here are just a few more Bible verses to consider:

We have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind! 2 Timothy 1:7 

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears… Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. Psalm 34:4, 9

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 

Here’s more perspective. Did you know that around 20,000 people in the United States have died from the flu since last Fall? The media doesn’t talk about that much, do they? That’s over 100 deaths a day. And as of today, about 90 people have died due to the coronavirus.

Every death is tragic, but let’s not buy the panic being sold to us. In China, over 3,000 have died. But do you know how many have recovered? Almost 69,000.

So why the extreme reactions that seem to go beyond basic precautions? Fear; the unknown, following the crowd. Some have become irrational. It’s corporate-sponsored, media-infused hysteria. Hoarding toilet paper won’t help you.

The Bible says in order for us to have peace of mind, we must be anxious for nothing, but to pray about all things (Phil. 4:6-7). Modern medical research has also proven that worry breaks down our resistance to disease. We can be concerned about health issues without conforming to this world or giving in to fear.

Another thing: are we looking to government to give us something it can’t deliver like true peace and security? Are we looking to government for protection rather than turning to the living God? 

For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. ³ While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4

There seems to be a deeper agenda at work here. I am concerned when so many people believe everything the biased, complicit, irresponsible media says. Be honest. They are generally in it for ratings and many even want to bring down President Trump by somehow blaming him for the spread of the coronavirus.  How exactly does that work?

In 2009, the Obama administration waited four months to declare the H1N1 outbreak a national emergency – when the death toll in the U.S. reached 1,000! (So far,  under one hundred have died of the coronavirus, the majority over 60 years old and listen to the doomsday media.  

When Joe Biden was Vice President, the swine flu/H1N1 infected 61 million Americans and killed 12,000. Is this not a fair comparison? Even though it was more deadly and half its victims were healthy and young, media coverage of the swine flu was nowhere near the hysteria or extent of the coronavirus coverage today. Why?

Another thing I don’t understand is how we can possibly compare the United States of America with Italy or even China as it relates to government, healthcare, freedom, and handling the coronavirus. Be informed, not alarmed. This too shall pass – and for believers, God will cause this to work out for our good and for His glory.

So could this really spread and be the end-times event that will cause Americans to finally repent and cry out to God? That remains to be seen, but we can look back at history for some encouragement.

In the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles, shortly after Solomon’s heartfelt prayer of repentance and the children of Israel dedicated the temple in Jerusalem, God spoke to the people:

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

This was specific to the people of Israel at the time, but there’s a principle here for us to follow. Repent in humility and return to God. The very next verse promises that you will find God if you search for Him with all your heart.

The most deadly “virus” in the world is sin, which every human being will die from one day, and the only remedy is the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Confess your sins, receive forgiveness and everlasting life. 

As people all around us are looking for answers, live out your faith, point them to the Bible and to an unfading hope. When things are shaky and people fear for their lives, they’re generally more open to having conversations about what happens after we die.

Let’s use every opportunity to share the good news about a sovereign, unshakeable, unchangeable God. One day at a time, friends. Fear not!

Video courtesy of Freedom Project Media