The Pandemic running rampant in America: Fear

 Get your will finalized and your stock supplies ready for the Coronavirus for it’s coming to a city near you. The media is creating hype and fear surrounding the dreaded Coronavirus and people are panicking. I honestly am tired of the media reports and the predictions regarding the mass “pandemic.”  Now, don’t get me wrong. I think we should be aware and prepare ourselves with wisdom and take precautions. However, I don’t think we should let fear control us and overwhelm us. Isn’t our God stronger than the Coronavirus? And, isn’t He in ultimate control? And, do we trust that He’s taking care of us and His plan is best? 

It struck me this week as I was struggling with fear and anxiety myself over my transition to Georgia how prevalent fear is in this country. I’m still adjusting to life back in America and now that everything is quickly falling into place, I’m preparing to start a new job and move all my belongings and start over yet again and it’s overwhelming. Truly.  I’ve just been hit with fear in a way that I haven’t experienced in years. I forgot how stressed out I used to get. 

And, I believe fear is a major way the Enemy works in America and all over the world, for that matter. He gets us to doubt God and we lose faith in the Lord and we focus on the problem in front of us and enlarge that and get caught up in a vicious cycle in our minds of negative thoughts and obsessing over things we can’t control and thinking worst case scenario and before we know it, the blessing that we asked for has become a source of stress, anxiety, and fear. 

For me, I was thinking of all the things that need to be done and getting overwhelmed at the multitude of long shifts I have ahead of me over the next few weeks after not working for 2 years (I’m blessed I know!) and wondering if I’ve forgotten all my work knowledge and skills and wanting just a little more time off before I have to jump into the crazy and when will I have time to move with all these back-to-back shifts in two different cities?? 

And, I realized that I have a choice. I was choosing fear. But, I can choose Love. [“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” 1 John 4:18] I can choose to abide in God, who is Love. To rest in Him and ask Him what He thinks of all this and of me and let His still small voice calm me and take me out of my head and into my heart. To go back to that childlike faith I had in Spain and re-frame my perspective. To see this new opportunity as good and exciting and a blessing. To take my focus off my worries and fears and on my God who richly supplies all I need (Philippians 4:19) and ever sustains me. His steadfast love grounds me and strengthens me and I really can “do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  

Our thoughts are powerful and if you believe something with all your mind and heart, you give it power and it will likely happen. If you believe you will fail the test, you likely will. If you believe you will get that dream job and you go after it and wait on the Lord’s timing, you will get that dream job.  If you believe you will contract Coronavirus and die from it, you just might.

Fear is powerful but Love is infinitely more powerful and life-giving. Fear drains you and eats away at you but Love energizes you and strengthens you.  Fear causes us to focus on ourselves with a survival mindset but Love renews us so we can focus on God and on others around us since we know we are okay.  

So, what are you choosing to believe?  What are you meditating on and letting swirl around in your mind?  Fears? Worries? Judgmental thoughts?  Or Hopes? Your identity in Christ? How much the Father loves you? Finding the good in all things? 

God advises us to take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). God transforms us and renews our minds but only so much as we allow Him to. We choose to partner with Him and we choose what thoughts we entertain and meditate on and which ones we reject as lies. We get to cast out fear and lies and replace them with truth and bask in God’s love. But, it’s a choice. It’s exhausting, my friend. But, it’s way more exhausting to sit in fear, negativity, and shame.  

I challenge you to analyze your thoughts regularly and ask yourself:

1. Is this true?

2. What does God say about this?

3. What does God say about me?

4. Is this coming from a place of fear or love?

5. If this isn’t true, what is true?  

6. What does scripture say in regards to this? Or what scripture can I meditate on to reinforce this truth?

7. Which trusted friend can I confess this to and ask for their prayer/ wisdom?

The battlefield truly is in the mind. And, I am wrestling with this just as you are. But, the Lord is with us and He will daily renew us and use each challenge to strengthen and transform us. He is Good. So, we are Good. No matter our circumstances. We are GOOD, always. 

Love you all dearly,

Raina

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

“Fear he is a liar

He will take your breath

Stop you in your steps

Fear he is a liar

He will rob your rest

Steal your happiness

Cast your fear in the fire

‘Cause fear he is a liar

Let Your fire fall and cast out all my fears

Let Your fire fall Your love is all I feel”

Zach Williams