Covid-19 Faith and Fear

There is a lot of conversation going on about the Coronavirus.  So I thought I would share a few thoughts to encourage my Christian friends and to share with my non — or not yet — Christian friends what I believe.

It is scary.  People die from the Coronavirus.  It is contagious.  I would imagine at some point we will all know someone who either gets sick or has a connection to someone who gets the virus.  Some of us may very well get this illness at some point.  Dying is a possibility.   And I fly.  A lot.  I already see a number of masks in the airports.  Airplanes are incubators for contagious diseases.  I get all of that.

Coronavirus is not the first, nor will  it be the last, frightening epidemic.  Ebola.  Asia bird flu.  Polio.  Black Death.  Aids.  Or how about rabies.  Or smallpox.  Or … well, you get the idea.

Those of you that know me know that I can be pretty oblivious.  I just go thru life assuming I am not sick, it is not my heart, the plane will not crash, etc.  But there is some basis for that approach. 

As a believer, I refuse to give in to fear. Here is why.

Jesus tells me not to be afraid.  The Bible is full of admonitions to not give in to fear.  It is a scary world.  It has been since Adam and Eve left the Garden.  Sickness and evil are rampant in our world.  Death is ever present.  And Jesus consistently tells me not to be afraid.

What is the worst that happens?  I get sick and die sooner than I thought.  And go home to live with God forever.  I am not flippant here.  I really believe the certainty of heaven is central to not living this life in fear.

Fear will keep me from doing what God wants me to do.  God did not save me to huddle in fear inside the four walls of my house.  Or my church.  We engage the world to share the good news of Jesus.  Resurrection confidence defeats fear.  I have, you have, people to see and talk to about Jesus.

My witness matters.  If we Christians are so afraid of death that we are no different from the rest of this world, why would they want to hear our testimony about Jesus.  Tho if we are just like everyone else, I am not sure there is much testimony to share.

Besides, I have already died.  When I became a Christian, I died to myself.  I deny myself.  My baptism was a death and a new birth.  So I really am a dead man walking.

This world is not my home.  I love my life.  I have a great family.  Wonderful friends.  Love talking about Jesus.  But I really am not at home here. 

But I am reasonable.  Sort of.  Wash hands.  Don’t take a bath in sewage.  You know, reasonable precautions. 

And I actually get that sometimes things are scary and we are afraid.  Maybe that is why Jesus tells us so many times to not give in to fear but to trust him.

So if you get Coronavirus, I will pray for your healing.  I will be at your anointing. 

As you will do for me.  But should I someday have to choose between my fear and my faith, I will choose faith every time.  And should that someday result in what some would see as an untimely death, then know that I am happy and at peace.  I lived life not of my terms, but on God’s terms.

And I will see you in heaven if you too believe.  We will have the last laugh over Coronavirus.  It cannot defeat us.  We will win in Jesus.

And if you are not yet a believer, or not sure about all of this.  Contact me.  Let’s talk. I have some really good news to share. 

-Steve Ridgell