As we navigate these unsettling times, I am daily reminded how blessed I am. Like most of you, I have been following the COVID-19 situation through news outlets and social media. I have seen good and bad information, with equal responses to each. Above all, two things continue to stand out to me:

First, I am pleasantly surprised by the encouragement and humanity that I am seeing from all people. My prayer is that this will continue and that God will reach the unsaved through this situation as we draw together as a community (observing social distancing, of course).

Second, I have noticed an underlying fear coming from my fellow Christians. Even amid the scriptures and the professions of faith, I sense a lack of strength and trust that we should be exhibiting before the world.
I want to encourage you today and remind you that we are the children of the Most High God! While we live in this fallen world, we will experience the same things as those who have not yet chosen salvation. Jesus said in Matt 5:45, ‘He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.’ Even though His children may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, our Father is with us! Whom shall we fear? Of whom should we be afraid? The scriptures that we read and share are not platitudes. They are God-breathed words of hope and comfort! They are promises we can, and should, stand on at all times.

I have chosen some of my favorite verses and emphasized the specific parts that comfort me and remind me whose I am. The world may fall apart around me, I may suffer sickness or loss. In spite of my best efforts, I may contract the COVID-19 virus and it may take my earthly life, but I refuse to give Satan the satisfaction of my fear. The Lord is my Rock and my Refuge and I will NOT be afraid; I will NOT panic. I will take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). I will fearlessly proclaim the peace and comfort of Christ and give praise and glory to Him for all that He has done for me. I will pray against the pandemic, not out of fear, but because my heavenly Father told me to present all my prayers and requests to Him (Eph. 6:18). Jesus said that whatever we ask in His name He will do (John 14: 13-14). I will also ask for the wisdom and understanding to see His work and His purpose, not mine. Not my will, but His, and I will stand on the promise that He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28).

Verses for the Heart

• 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. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

• Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV)

• Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should.(Ephesians 6:10-20 NIV)

• Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrew 10:19-25 NIV)

• Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)