One Day at a Time
I have been thinking and praying for you today. The coronavirus pandemic seems to have gripped the whole world. Fear is in almost everything we see and do. God’s Word, the Bible, has much to say about fear, and I’d like to share several passages of scripture.
Psalm 91:9-11 says, “If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.”
Do you have fear? Is your fear greater than your faith? Fear can be a good thing if it keeps us safe, but fear that is out of control is scary. Fear can take us to dark places. Fear can rob us from having joy in our lives.
This is the most unusual catastrophe to ever hit our nation. Bishop Lewis sent a letter from the Rev. Chris and Dr. Jennifer Barbieri. Jennifer is a pulmonologist in Georgia, and Chris is a chaplain at Floyd Medical Center. These two have been dealing with patients since this outbreak began. They recommend what the church in Virginia is already doing. We need to practice social distancing. Live-stream worship services. Shop only when it is necessary. Use technology and reduce face-to-face communication. Write a note of encouragement to the healthcare professionals you know. Realize that healthcare workers are not only doctors and nurses but all who clean and cook and guard the safety of the building and parking lots. Find out what they need and never – no, never – send to a hospital what you think they may need. The most important thing you can do for the healthcare folks and the ones infected with the virus is to pray.
Tsundoku is a Japanese word referring to a stack of books on a bedside table waiting to be read. Many during this pandemic are thinking they need to read and get caught up. The interesting book that we need to get caught up in the most is the Bible. The scriptures have always encouraged us when we need it the most. Joshua 1:8 tells us about God’s instructions to Joshua when he was commissioned to lead God’s people into the promised land. Knowing the difficulty ahead, God assured Joshua, “I will be with you.” (v. 5) If your day is filled with fear, find nourishment through Scripture. Read II Timothy 3:16.
In II Timothy 1:5, Paul tells Timothy, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice.” Paul urged Timothy to carry on this faith tradition, to “fan into flame the gift of God through the Holy Spirit who gives us power.” (vv. 6-7)
Fear does not need to be what dominates us today because God has said he will always be with us. Fear needs to be reduced so that since we believe and know that God will always be with us, we can help others come to Jesus so their fear can subside, too!
At the Foundation, we are here to help you and stand beside you. We believe it when God says, “I will be with you,” and we will all be able to get through this struggle together. We must get through this, one day at a time!
By the Rev. Tommy Herndon