The news regarding the coronavirus is rather scary. It is hard to tell what is fact and what is fiction. Whether or not this is a virus that will cause a pandemic, one thing is for sure, one day there will be such horrible diseases racing across the earth that a huge population of the world will die.
It’s happened previously with the Spanish ‘flu. It was a strain of influenza in the early 1900’s following World War I that took several years to cross the world. It was only stopped because so many people died, there were too few individuals who were sick and still alive to allow the virus to continue to transmit.
In those days, we traveled the world by boat. That is why it took so long to wreck its devastation.
Today, a virus can circle the globe in a matter of a day. It reminds me of a movie I have seen called “Twelve Monkeys.” In that movie, a single unhinged individual plots to spread a deadly virus and is able to do so by flying around the world in a matter of a few short days. Truth has become more than fiction.
There are so many diseases that are migrating that it really is a matter of when and not if.
There is so much fear among the people of the world. They are reacting to this latest threat as if it were immediate. It may be. It’s difficult to say as the government of China appears to be covering up the true numbers and the methods of transmission.
Still, the fear is there and it is real regardless of whether it is warranted or not. People are afraid of dying. They are afraid that their children may die. They are suspicious and want answers. Sadly, there are no answers that will satisfy them.
It’s at times like these I am very thankful to be a born-again Christian. I know that one day, perhaps sooner than later, I will die. However, I have no fear of death. My Lord and Savior has conquered true death. The body may die but the soul is eternal.
The eternal death of the soul is a separation from God and unending torment. The eternal life of the soul is to spend eternity in the presence of God and to be filled with love and joy forever.
I know that when I die, my soul will be with God for eternity. That takes the sting of death away.
The majority of the world has not accepted Christ. With their fear of death, there is also the fear of the unknown. Whether they believe in nothing or in a false god, they have no assurances of their spot in eternity.
I can understand how their fear can take over and cause them to act in ways that they would not do ordinarily. Fear will not save them. Trying to avoid death will not work forever. We all must die physically.
If fear is gripping you over this virus or anything else, the only answer to overcome fear is to know the love of Jesus. With his love will come the peace that passes our understanding.
God has this type of love and man does not. That is why we don’t understand it. We don’t understand how it can give us peace. But it exists regardless of our human and flawed understanding. The peace that comes with the knowledge of that love also exists.
I know this for a fact because I was told over two years ago that I was going to die that day. I was at peace and knew that when my eyes closed here, I would see Jesus for the first time. I didn’t long to die, but I wasn’t afraid of it, either.
God spared me but I know that it was only for the moment. However, I know that my place in heaven is a sure thing and it is only a matter of time before I go to be with my God.
If you are afraid and want to feel the peace of God, look to the love of Jesus. He was both man and God at the same time. He lived and died and rose again to give you a way to obtain forgiveness for your sins and to make you righteous in God’s eyes.
All you have to do is to accept him as Lord and Savior. Ask him to give you the gift of his forgiveness. Know that he rose again from the dead and because of that, you will do so, too, one day. Then start learning to live in the way that he did. Learn to follow Jesus. He will give you his peace and will take away your fears.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.