Do Not Dispair

I will admit, I did not initially take this pandemic seriously. I heard as did many others that a few

years ago we had the H1N1 virus. 2008-2009. The CDC reported that as many as 12,469 people died in the U.S. No one shut down the nation and so far we do not have that many deaths.

We do need to take this seriously, we need to seek and promote comfort and peace among others and as Christians, we have hope in Christ that we can take comfort in and share with the world. 

We must take this pandemic seriously.

The facts of how things have skyrocketed in Italy, Spain and China tell us how bad it can get. Here is some documentation on the 2009 pandemic.

"The study, co-authored by 9 members of the CDC Influenza Division, used an improved modeling approach which resulted in an estimated range of deaths from between 151,700 and 575,400 people who perished worldwide from 2009 H1N1 virus infection during the first year the virus circulated. A disproportionate number of deaths occurred in Southeast Asia and Africa, where access to prevention and treatment resources are more likely to be limited. "

According to the CDC from April 2009 to April 2010 there were about 60.8 million cases of the swine flu with 12,469 deaths in the United States.
Unlike COVID-19, swine flu targeted the younger population, who health officials said had little to no existing immunity. Nearly one-third of people over 60 had antibodies against the virus, making CDC experts believe these people were likely exposed to an older version of the virus earlier in their lives." (CDC.gov) For the complete article click here.

However, things are different this time. Even though I was skeptical about the seriousness of the virus, I took it seriously enough to stay home when asked. I didn't hoard food or toilet paper. I was wrong to be skeptical. Tonight the President reported that we will be lucky if we only see 100,000 to 200,000 deaths in this country. He extended the length of time to stay sheltered at home until April 30th for now and said we will try to get the economy going by June after previously hoping to see it ramping up again by Easter. It was an optimistic view, but it is not to be.

We can promote comfort in God's word. 

Phillipians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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."

Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 

2 Timothy 1:7  "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

The world needs the love and restoration of God more than any other time in many years. We are not acting Christlike if we are promoting division and deriding those in authority. We need to be there for the comfort of each other; both our brothers and sisters in Christ and to those who do not have a relationship with God.

Watching the i-heart concert this evening I saw many health workers at the end of their ropes. One woman was on her way home from a 13-hour shift taking care of just 2 critical patients by herself sobbing as she related what it was like in the hospital. In Germany, a government official already committed suicide because of the despair he felt about the pandemic.

Share our hope with the world.

Our country has many benefits as far as the ability of our medical system to handle this pandemic in relation to what other countries can do. Beyond that, as unemployment goes up, the suicide rate will also go up. People will become desperate and find themselves despairing over how they will live. We as servants of Christ have a mandate to convey the hope that God can provide. Our assurance will be a light that could encourage those who do not know Him who saves us to seek Him for themselves. Jesus said:

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

It is our duty and calling to be salt and light to the brethren as well as those who do now have a relationship with Christ. Don't live for tomorrow and encourage others to find ways to be thankful for what we do have and where we can look for help. I've lived for 65 years 60 of which I have known God as my savior. I've seen miracles where I did not see hope, but I have also felt pain and sorrow. The difference is we have someone whom we can go to with our cares.

God has given us promises we can rely on. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 begins by talking about plagues, and ends with God's power to heal and restore our land.

"If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

"We all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Before we help others we need to get our own house in order. I pray God forgives me of my sins both known and unknown. Help me do better and be better. Help me to be there for those who don't know your eternal hope.