It’s become an all-too familiar image from the coronavirus scare. In time of world crisis, how do you respond?
Fear is very contagious and will make you act in some weird and ridiculous ways. Lately for example, hysteria made people buy toilet paper and empty shelves! What in the world does buying toilet paper have to do with the Covid-19 that affects the lungs and gives a high fever? Ok, I totally understand buying hand sanitizers, masks and Lysol. Yesterday I went to Wal-Mart and the toilet paper isle was totally empty. They now have a rule on how many packs you can buy per household!
So, I was curious to where did that strange behavior come from? On February 5th, a troubling online rumor stated that China was going to stop all production of tissue paper and handkerchiefs. People and hotels were rushing to buy. Hong Kong and Wan Chai were all sold out in no time. This rumor has made its way to the US and Europe. One of my neighbors told me that some believe toilet paper is a cure against the virus!?!? I guess I needed some humor during this tragic time 🙂 By the way, manufacturers themselves say there have been no disruptions to their supply chains.
So, why is buying and hoarding so widespread, not just in China but in every country impacted by the virus?
In simple words, human brains.
Steven Taylor, a professor of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia and author of the Psychology of Pandemics says, “Fear is contagious. We pick up cues by looking to other people. It’s how stampedes happen in stadium. So, if you’re in a shopping Center and you see some people around you acting in a frightened way and stocking up, that’s going to have a contagious fear effect that cause you and other people to start over-purchasing”.
During this worldwide shaking, I have some good news: there is an opposite to fear that is also contagious. It’s called faith. You cannot have both operating in your life at the same time. You will either fear or have faith.
5 steps to operate in faith
- Trust God. Know that God is not taken by surprise about the covid-19 or any situation as a matter of fact. He knows what’s going on and have the solution for it. When you have no idea what to do or think, trust Him knowing He has the answer. Wait on Him. Wait for Him to show you what to do or not to do.
- Fear not. This command appears 144 times in the KJV. God does not want us to fear or be anxious about anything. You can train yourself not to fear. Every time you feel the symptoms of fear, do not let them take over. Confess and proclaim the promises of God. Be conscientious of what comes into your ears and eyes through the news, media and fearful people.
- Evaluate. When you hear or see people panic, stop, take a step back and do not enter that fear allowing your emotions to take over. Take the time to think and catch the mind of God to see what is truly going on. Never, ever let anyone or anything push you into doing something irrational.
- Stand firm on the wisdom God is showing you. Understand what is going on and what the enemy is planning.
- Keep the peace. Follow His peace. Let it guide you and keep you.
It’s about faith – it’s about trust
For such a time as this…
I encourage you to be strong and courageous. There is an enemy out there who is working hard to steal, kill and destroy. But there’s also a Savior who daily provides, saves and keeps His people from all evil. Everything God does is by and through faith. His promises work through faith. The righteous, you and I, will live by faith. It’s a lifestyle, an everyday walk. You cannot please God without it.
Let God be God. Let Him thrive in what He does best: provide, save, perform miracles and the impossible. Let us do our part: believe His Word, His promises and trust He will do what He says. And watch what happens… 🙂
Below are some promises to feed on and strengthen your faith. Please add your favorite ones to the list and share them with us.
Develop your faith through His promises, His Word
“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved” Hebrews 10:39
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” Proverb 3:5-6
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not fear anything, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you, I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand, a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation” Isaiah 41:10-11
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” Luke 10:19
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” I John 4:18
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” Proverb 18:21
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind” II Timothy 1:7
“For by me (wisdom from God) your days will be multiplied, and years of life shall be increased. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself [for your own benefit]; If you scoff [thoughtlessly ridicule and disdain], you alone will pay the penalty” Prov. 9:11-12
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
“Think over the things I am saying, grasp their application, for the Lord will grant you insight and understanding in everything” II Timothy 2:7
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you and even show you great and mighty things, things which have been confined and hidden, which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish” Jeremiah 33:3
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely, He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91