If you've been paying attention to the coronavirus, you've probably got a little fear lurking inside.
And if you've been immersing yourself in coronavirus updates, you might even feel like we're all doomed.
Now I don't mean to minimize the seriousness of this threat -- and I believe taking precautions makes sense -- but guard your heart, my friend!
Today's global 24 hour news cycle can really stoke your fears, wrapping you up in paralyzing gloom... as exposing yourself to constant reports will tend to...
... make threats appear bigger than they really are...
... put you in a 'fight or flight' state (which suppresses your immune system)
... and distract you from the good God wants you doing with your time and energy.
I suppose this explains why the Bible so often urges us not to fear.
By some counts, the Bible has at least 365 versions of the command 'fear not.'
That's one for every day of the year!
And this scriptural exhortation applies to more than just diseases like the coronavirus...
God repeats His command not to fear to help overcome ANY fear you may face.
Consider also...
The Lord has determined the number of your days before you lived one of them (Ps.139:16).
And no amount of worrying will change that.
This doesn't mean you shouldn't wash your hands, get good rest and cut some sugar out of your diet to bolster your defenses against this virus.
But it does mean we ought to live boldly, faithfully and joyfully as we fulfill our unique callings with the days God gives us... and trust Him with all the rest.
'For God has given us a not a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control' (2 Tim. 1:7).