The COVID19 Choice
Chaos. Changes. Challenges. In addition to figuring out life in quarantine, we’ve made unprecedented decisions about how to spend our time as we “stay safe, stay home.” I’ve been asking myself the question,
We have a choice, don’t we? You don’t have to look very far to notice two types of responses: fear or faith. Fear is a God-given natural response when our physical or psychological safety is threatened. Neil Anderson says, “Fear always has an object, that is something or someone, and that object must be both present and potent.” If one of the attributes is eliminated, it ceases to have power over us, and will no longer be a fear object.
Did you know most fears are related to the fear of death, people and Satan? For believers, death is present in that it is a possibility but death no longer has power over us. I Corinthians 15:54-57, “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Believers who die physically are still alive and well spiritually and are living in God’s presence. “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
Fear can prevent us from doing what is right. Fear can compel us to live irresponsibly. Fear can compromise our witness. Whether it be people or pandemic that threaten us, Jesus reminded us, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 ESV We can expect to have trials, trouble, and tribulations. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
We can have a successful kingdom-building life whether we are in the midst of COVID19 or any other chaotic circumstance by following these principles:
- Commit to know God and follow His ways (Joshua 1:7-8).
- Become the person God has made you to be (Philippians 3:12-14).
- Be a good steward of the time, talent, and treasure God has entrusted to you (I Corinthians 4:1-2). (The Steps to Freedom in Christ, Appendix C, Overcoming Fear)
Living by faith is choosing to do what is right in the face of perceived fear objects. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is choosing to live by faith. Did you know behind every irrational fear is a lie which must be identified? “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.” Philippians 4:13b-15a
God wants us to be honest, even in doubt, fear, anger, worry, and anxiety. Openness and vulnerability are difficult, aren’t they? Both are scary and almost impossible, especially if we don’t trust God. To overcome fear, it must be identified, analyzed, and renounced. Once the fear is cancelled and replaced with God’s truth, faith is ushered in and we can move ahead in abundant freedom.
We can make a choice, decide we are going to trust God, stand firm, and remain steadfast in our faith. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
More gifts await — God will ignite your hope, infuse your peace, energize your joy, and maximize your love. What are you waiting for?
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