COVID-19: How Should We Respond as Christians?

COVID-19: How Should We Respond as Christians?

A Story by Mrs Mania
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"Some days are better, some days are worse. Look for the blessing instead of the curse. Be positive, stay strong, and get enough rest. You can't do it all, but you can do your best". -Doe Zantamata

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COVID-19: How should we respond as Christians?

The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the lives of people all across the world. This pandemic has created a troublesome time for everyone, causing many to lose their jobs. Many are currently experiencing difficulty in finding new employment due to the temporary shut-down of several businesses in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Many schools and colleges have also decided to remain closed for the remainder of the school year. This has no doubt caused some strain for parents with small children, especially if they are a single-parent or if they work in an environment such as the healthcare field which does not close. Social-distancing has also been strongly encouraged at this time as a precaution to further prevent the spread of the virus. As we have seen, many churches have decided to close temporarily, but have continued to share the word of God online by posting videos and links to sermons.

Though fellowship with other Christians at this time may be difficult, and social isolation is the last thing we want, we can still make good use of this time. I believe that it is so easy for us to get caught up with our daily routine, between our jobs, the things we own, and making time for our family and friends.. But what about the aspect of our lives that should be the most important: making time for God. Many of us have become so comfortable, that now it is as though we don’t know how to react or how to spend our time wisely now that our routine is disrupted. Now I understand that this is not what anyone had expected or wanted for the year of 2020. I do not believe that God causes bad things to happen, but I do believe that He allows everything to happen for a reason. So, what message is God trying to send us at this troublesome time?

I want to be clear that I don’t claim to know God’s reasoning behind why He allows certain things to happen, but what I do want to share is my perspective and what I believe God may be trying to teach us at this time. It could be that God is removing certain distractions in our life temporarily in order to create more time for us to spend with Him. Look at it this way, some of us may be stuck at home or experiencing social isolation due to the closing of schools, closing of businesses, and the emphasis placed on social-distancing right now. The things that took up the most of our time before seem to be on a temporary hold. How many times have we been “too busy” to open our Bible, or to communicate with God through prayer? How often have we been “too busy” to get to know God on a deep and personal level by spending time with Him through His word? How often do we acknowledge our dependency on God, and how often do we recognize the fact that He is always in control? Suddenly, we are gifted with more free time. But it is a matter of our response, and how we choose to use that extra time we’ve been given that matters. 

I believe that this current social-isolation we are experiencing presents a wonderful opportunity to take the time to get to know God better by reading His word and meditating on His word. Now is the time for our world to turn to God, now is this time to pray. Dr. Charles Stanley said it perfectly in his message “Faith Over Feelings” regarding COVID-19. “This is a time not for pleasure, but for prayer”. (I will reference the video below for anyone who would like to listen).

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 states, ‘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 I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land'.

During times of trouble, grief, and hardship, many people will turn to God for relief. But when the hardship passes and things become good again, we are so quick to turn away from God, forgetting what all He has brought us through. According to Dr. Stanley in his video sermon, Wisdom in the Midst of Trials, “more important than God removing the difficulty, hardship, pain, and suffering, more important to Him than that, is that you and I learn something- that we benefit”. I think we can all learn something from this pandemic, and what we learn may vary per individual. We may learn the importance of appreciating and being grateful for what we have, rather than being resentful for the things we don’t have. We may learn the importance of holding our loved one’s close, cherishing every moment, because tomorrow is never promised. But most importantly, I hope we all learn that we are never “too busy” for God. The most important area in our life is our relationship with God. Even when this pandemic comes to pass, which it will, my prayer is that we never forget what God has brought us through. When we continue to put Him first, our lives change for the better.

I know that we live in a time of certainty, but the one thing to always remember, is that God never changes, His word never changes, and He is always in control. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, ‘For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind’.

References
Faith Over Feelings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUqXlglay2k 

Wisdom in the Midst of Trials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsO4850nW10&t=445s

© 2020 Mrs Mania


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Featured Review

I once watched Dr. Stanley every sunday. "listen." I think he's a good man but what I've learned about life can be quoted by a group called Rush. "Fate is just the weight of circumstances." We are here by ourselves.

Two hundred people jumped to their deaths from the towers on 911. I'm sure many followed god. People are dying alone in hospitals. 6 million jews died horrible deaths in Hitler's death camps, and that's only just a tiny portion of the horrendous deaths that have occurred throughout history. Look up ancient history and read about the atrocities that have taken place. Read about the many women that have been killed by serial killers.

God may watch over us but unfortunately for too many, God does nothing. We are on our own.

Write Dr. Stanley's lessons in a notebook. By the end of the year you will have so many things written you must remember you'll never be able to do accomplish them.

I also used to watch Joel Osteen, who has gotten incredibly rich from his sermons. I stopped.

I commend you for your belief, and for your faith. For me, I see things differently now.

I wish you luck, and everyone else in this uncertain time.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Mrs Mania

4 Years Ago

Hi Palewriter,
Thank you for you taking the time to read my post and review. I do respectfull.. read more



Reviews

I agree that yes it’s giving people more time to reach out to their God whoever they believe in but I do question why my God does let bad things happen rape incest murder flood fire disease famine

Posted 4 Years Ago


Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)

4 Years Ago

Yes my God is Jesus
I don’t attend church
I used to but do have a faith
I .. read more
Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)

4 Years Ago

I think blank the wrong word
I mean when I was a born again Christian from ages 16 till I wa.. read more
Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)

4 Years Ago

It’s called my hippy angel
I once watched Dr. Stanley every sunday. "listen." I think he's a good man but what I've learned about life can be quoted by a group called Rush. "Fate is just the weight of circumstances." We are here by ourselves.

Two hundred people jumped to their deaths from the towers on 911. I'm sure many followed god. People are dying alone in hospitals. 6 million jews died horrible deaths in Hitler's death camps, and that's only just a tiny portion of the horrendous deaths that have occurred throughout history. Look up ancient history and read about the atrocities that have taken place. Read about the many women that have been killed by serial killers.

God may watch over us but unfortunately for too many, God does nothing. We are on our own.

Write Dr. Stanley's lessons in a notebook. By the end of the year you will have so many things written you must remember you'll never be able to do accomplish them.

I also used to watch Joel Osteen, who has gotten incredibly rich from his sermons. I stopped.

I commend you for your belief, and for your faith. For me, I see things differently now.

I wish you luck, and everyone else in this uncertain time.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Mrs Mania

4 Years Ago

Hi Palewriter,
Thank you for you taking the time to read my post and review. I do respectfull.. read more
Here's the deal: If "good Christians" don't get the disease in fewer numbers, per capita, than "Bad Christians;" If Christians, in general, don't get the disease in fewer numbers than non-Christians; If no religion does better than others, then prayer and belief have nothing to do with anything, and prayer, demonstrably, is wasted time.

You can't say "God loves you," and call him "father" when people all over the world are dying, and doing so irrespective of their being good or bad, devout or unbeliever.

Doctors save lives. Good sense and careful action saves lives. Walk among those who have the virus quoting scriptures, or being silent. Your chance of being infected is the same either way.

Posted 4 Years Ago



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Added on March 30, 2020
Last Updated on April 1, 2020

Author

Mrs Mania
Mrs Mania

Roanoke, VA



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Hi there! As far as genres go, my preference leans more towards short stories and poetry. I tend to really appreciate works that are both thought-provoking and inspiring. My favorite writings tend to.. more..

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A Story by Mrs Mania