I have to admit to y’all that I’ve struggled with some anger issues over this virus pandemic. With the lack of information when this broke in China and my general distrust of the media, I felt for a long time that this event was being blown way out of proportion. It felt to me like an extreme episode of Fear Factor, and the US was being pushed to fear frenzy. I got pretty angry when my plans and life had to change because of the fearful reactions to this pandemic. It hit me that I was mostly angry watching fear run rampant, unchecked, and encouraged.
Fear is “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Dictionary, noun, 1st definition
I dislike fear. I hate feeling fear. I won’t watch scary shows or super intense dramas because I dislike feeling that fear factor so much. I hate watching people I love have fear. Spiritually speaking, fear is a weapon of the enemy. We humans love to be in control, I personally love feeling in control! But this unknown virus and the rumor mill created wide spread fear. That fear imposed itself in my life as I was forced to change plans and make major adaptations in my life due to fear. I bumped up, yet again, to my control issues. That stupid ‘thorn in my flesh’, my sinful nature of wanting control.
So fear and control waged a war within me for a few days. I am so very thankful for the Godly people who surround me. I read beautiful reminders of God’s faithfulness and of His purposes in all things, and I went to Him with all that was going on in my heart and head.
So let’s take a look at what does Scripture, the Word of God, straight from the mouth of the Creator of all things, say about fear?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7
Fear is the absence of trust in almighty God. Perhaps you haven’t really battled your sinful flesh over this control issue? Maybe you really can’t trust God with your hopes, dreams, or health because in the past He has failed you somehow? Is your perception of God totally and utterly distrustful? Have you considered your past and do you really believe that He ruined your life with His decisions? Do you honestly believe you could have done better than God?
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:6-7
In those moments of distrust, I simply look to my children as an example of trusting an unknown. I have watched my husband, the father of my five children, speak wisdom to our children from his years of experience and the knowledge of his well-read mind, only to be rejected out of arrogant distrust. God is called our Heavenly Father, and how often do we as His beloved children distrust His providence or hand?
Seriously, what is the absolute worst thing that could happen to you in this corona virus season?
- You could get sick, sure. Our whole family battled a nasty flue strain this past November. It wasn’t fun, but it was not the most horrible thing to happen to us. There are so many worse things that can happen to you than being down sick, stuck in bed. For those living in first worlds, that just means delivered junk food and binge watching shows on TV.
- You could die? Sure, we will all die one day. The day you are born, you begin the process of decaying to your death. There is nothing you can do to change the date of your death. You can’t worry yourself out of your death. Maybe you fear death because you don’t have assurance of where you will reside for eternity? Does the blood of Jesus cover you? Are you trusting in Christ alone for your salvation? Are you loving your Savior enough to imitate Him in all things? Those questions do need answered for you to find peace and release the fear of death in you.
- Do you fear being totally and completely out of control? Yep, I get it. But all of us adults understand now that we aren’t ever really in complete control of our lives. We have spouses and kids and jobs and others to consider in life. It’s probably one of the great lies we tell ourselves as children: when I’m grown, I’ll make my own decisions, I’ll be in control! One of the hardest growing pains is learning that you aren’t really every in total control of your life.
The bottom line in all this is trust. If you don’t know God at all, or chose to shut Him out after a brief ‘speed dating’ type relationship, then you won’t have peace in His leadership. The more you know God and realize His power, strength, goodness, and strength…the more you trust in His providence.
Kay's Little Korner 