We live in unprecedented and uncertain times. We are in our third month of a worldwide pandemic. Over 5 million cases and over 330,000 deaths to date. And while the numbers continue to rise at an alarming pace in the US, most states are beginning to relax mandatory closures and imposed restrictions. Most of us are looking forward to some normalcy, some face to face interaction, and, most certainly, some economic recovery. But there is still an extremely high risk, the virus has not been contained and there is no vaccine. Worry and anxiety are common.
I have friends and acquaintances that are obsessed with following every headline and news story related to the virus and it’s impacts. They watch the news non-stop and you can definitely see the impact of that constant negativity on their lives. The dwell in it and in turn, it dwells in them. Most of their fears and concerns are legitimate, but the power that fear has over their lives is paralyzing. Some of their complaints are based in reality, they are truly being impacted personally by the virus and it’s effects. But some of their complaints are a form of following a negative trend. Negativity is contagious, and while they are free of COVID19 symptoms, the negativity virus has completely infected their well being.
For me this negativity is hard to reconcile. I know, without a doubt, that constant complaints and negativity are not what God wants for our lives. In fact, it angers Him (Numbers 11:1). But I do compassionately understand their fear and concern. And, if I am going to be honest, if this pandemic would have hit our world just two years ago, I would probably be curled up in the fetal position completely paralyzed with fear and anxiety.
So, what has changed? My trust and faith in God. I know that I do not need to worry, because the Creator of everything has a plan (John 14:1), and He is a good and powerful God. Now, does this mean that I should ignore the news and live oblivious of the world around me? No. But instead of watching the news, I should just check the news. Does this mean that I can throw caution to the wind and do anything and everything that I want to, knowing that God will make everything ok in the end? No. Absolutely not. But I know, that if I continue to seek a relationship with Him and obey Him, the path that I take will be the path He created for me. Whatever that path might be, it will be good and righteous. The same God that has brought me to this point in my life will be with me until the end and He will be my guide (Psalms 48:14). Whatever He leads me to and through, I will be grateful for His grace and mercy. I will give thanks to Him and I will strive to bring Him glory in whatever I do or say (Colossians 3:17). And that helps me combat negativity, fear, and doubt, especially in these very strange times.
I am going to choose to worship instead of worry. I am going to choose my faith over my fear. I am going to choose to voice compassion instead of complaints. I am going to choose to love instead of lose my mind. Quite simply, I choose God.
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