Gripped in Fear

I look at the world today, panicked and afraid of the future – not knowing whether jobs are secure, unsure about what to do and what will happen next, and it amazes me.

This microscopic virus has got everyone frantic. The world is in lockdown and very few people see that the effects of the precautions are far worse than the effects of the virus itself. Dr. Mike deBoisblanc from California says the following: “We’ve never seen numbers like this, in such a short period of time,” he said. “I mean we’ve seen a year’s worth of suicide attempts in the last four weeks.” There are more people dying because of the precautions put into place, than from the virus itself.

The New York Times also reports that since the beginning of the lockdown imposed by  governments to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, domestic violence cases have increased immensely. A large reason for this is that, where victims previously found space to breathe, whether at work or for social reasons, they are now spending all their time at home with their abusers. Likewise, children are not able to attend school, which many parents consider a safety net. There are more women and children experiencing violence against them, than the virus itself is causing.

And the list goes on…

The thing that I see in all of this is that society allows their lives to be turned upside down by a virus, yet they are not willing to accept that Jesus can turn their lives the right side up. He is the One who can take away all fear that you are experiencing at this time. He is the One who gives you peace when the world is running around, afraid of what’s to come.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom (or what) shall I fear?”

The thing is, I know where my help comes from, and that this world is not my home. Because of that, I don’t need to fear any virus or fear the consequences that it could have on my future. My future on earth is in His hands. My eternity is with Him because I put all my hope in Him. I look at the world, and choose to see Jesus. I look at the chaos and I choose to see the One who gives serenity. I look at hopelessness and I choose to see the One who is hope. I look at the hatred and choose to see He who is Love.

Psalm 46