The Coronavirus pandemic is currently causing worldwide panic and fear. Rich and poor countries seem unsure as how to keep this virus from spreading and devastating its economies and people. In recent weeks, the American government has taken steps to implement economic relief and financial aid to people and companies affected by this pandemic. For Christians, this battle is not only seen through the lens of the government, but belief in Jesus Christ as the savior of this world. Christ will soon return to save his people from this polluted environment that appears to have rendered us helpless in times like these. This article seeks to provide spiritual relief and provide hope in managing and tackling the daily stressors that are confronting us as Christians.
The emergence of this pandemic seemed to have taken Christians by surprise. As is the case in many of these pandemics no one seems to have a clear idea as how to prevent it from spreading. The reason this has happened is causing Christians to question God and how He could let this happen. Christians are searching God’s word to seek guidance in dealing with this pandemic.
Some Christians believe that God sent this pandemic to punish his people for departing from his words, while others argue that Christians should continue to go about business as usual. The Coronavirus pandemic is affecting our core beliefs of what it means to trust God. With many people dying across the United States, including Christians, their understanding of suffering is often to associate it with sin. Those affected by the disease are likely to be labelled as sinners and in need of repentance. The story of Job disputes this by demonstrating that his misfortunes were not the result of living in sin. We recognize today that much of suffering, death and pandemics, such as the Coronavirus, is a result of governments and its people failing to respect the earth by abusing it for political, social and economic gain.
Jesus’s ministry on earth was designed to present the good news of salvation in a world where people associated illnesses with sin. John 9: 1-3 records the story of his disciples associating affliction with sin. The question they posed revealed their lack of understanding of why diseases and pandemics like the Coronavirus occur. When they asked, “who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Jesus responded, “neither.” In typical Jesus manner, he challenged their intellect, biases and expectations by undermining their crooked thinking and revealing the power of God as he restored the blind man’s sight. For those of us who are filled with anxiety in these uncertain times, Psalms 37:25 reminds us that “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread.”
God does not forsake us, even though we may be experiencing loss of jobs, anxiety, suffering or worse yet, have tested positive for the virus. Jesus once declared to his father “My God, my God why have you forsaken me!” (Ps 22:1; Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34). I want to remind the saints of Poplar Spring Baptist Church that God was there with his son even when he felt alone. This virus does not mean that God has forsaken us. Suffering often occur when God’s people show a lack of caring.
Despite these bleak times and uncertainty, we have the opportunity to show our neighbors that we care and demonstrate God’s love to a shaken and fearful world.
By Maurice Batson
Remain faithful and diligent in keeping you and your family safe and healthy by following updated Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.