When Fear Floods Our Hearts
We could never have imagined how the country would look today when we came home with our son a little over a month ago.
The nervous, fast walking through stores for groceries and anxious looks at passersby, wondering if they were really six feet away.
Everyday during the first weeks home the news brought us more details about the COVID-19 virus and social distancing. With each new day the fear and anxiety within me built slowly, even when I didn’t acknowledge it was there.
I’ll admit to being one of those people who brushed off COVID-19 as just another flue in the beginning, not giving it the respect it deserved.
But very soon the reality of this virus and its implications of it for the people we all know and love and our nation, sank in.
It brought terrifying images to mind of my newborn son becoming sick, or, worse still, of my husband raising him alone.
I am not generally a fearful person when it comes to sickness, having not been a very sick person in my life, but we are witnessing and living in a time of fear.
Fear, like the virus sweeping through the nations of the world, is running rampant through our hearts.
I see the results of fear as hoarding of resources and panic buying toilet paper, bread, and milk become commonplace occurrences, and in the tightness in my chest when I walk through the automatic doors of Target for the few items we need in our home.
Fear is sneaky and stealthy in the way it works, making itself known at first in the scoffing manner of its host and slowly working its way deeper within me the longer I refuse to acknowledge it.
The more I read about the coronavirus and the people feeling its effects (which is all of us), the more difficult it feels to pick up my Bible.
In my mind I know and trust the Lord’s provision and steady hand through this crisis, but the longer we walk this uncertain road together the more fear grips the steering wheel of my heart.
In the first virtual sermon we watched following the pandemic, our pastor taught on this timely topic by way of the story of the disciples traversing the Sea of Galilee when a storm came upon them.
We know the story. They’re terrified on the boat as the waves threaten to overtake them when they see something astonishing in the distance: a man walking across the water.
Fear is paralyzing, both spiritually and physically, holding us in its icy grip and refusing to let go.
At a time when we’re already sheltering in place, trying to stay six feet away from the only other person on the same aisle of the grocery store, and using zoom to conference call our friends, we don’t need to make ourselves even more isolated.
Jesus said the greatest command of all is to love my neighbor as myself, which doesn’t disappear or become null and void because of COVID-19. If anything, this command is more important than ever before.
We, the people of God, are still called to be the light in the darkness and salt.
Yes, take precautions to protect yourself and others by practicing social distancing, good hygiene, and limiting your trips to the grocery store.
But, take a moment to think of other ways to love your neighbor. Here’s a list of how to do just that:
Send an encouraging text or email.
Send someone a takeout meal.
Meet up with groups virtually.
Actually call someone on the phone to talk and pray.
How are you loving the people in your life through this difficult time?
