"Prepping" in the midst of Panic

During this time of uncertainty, and almost seeming panic, many Americans are stockpiling goods to “weather” the storm of the Coronavirus. Sadly, the combination of fear, agitation, and haste does not bode well for the civility of your average American. In several stores across the country, fights have ensued over items that no one dared argue about just over a month ago. If you didn't keep up with dates, you would think that everyday was Black Friday. While we bulldoze our way to a store, buying in bulk, and then rush back home to hunker down and check the latest news report on COVID-19 (because that's the only thing on TV), perhaps we should take a moment to reflect on what Paul told young Timothy, not long before Paul was going to die for his faith, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). How we respond to all that is happening will determine whether we truly hold this truth in our hearts.

The nature of our thoughts mostly leans into the realm of anxieties. Will I or my family get sick? How bad is this? Is it a Bio weapon or just a mild flu? What will happen to the economy? How do I know if I'm sick? Our country may be under a National Emergency but this doesn't mean your mind should be! The Psalmist once declared, “When I worried about many things, your assuring words soothed my soul” Psalms 94:19 (GWT). As the government tells us to shy away from social gatherings and the news throws us the bone of distress, I would suggest that you turn off your TV for a while and with the time you have at home, read the Bible and pray! What? Too simple?

Now more than ever we are concerned about washing our hands and defending against infection, why can we not be equally concerned with cleansing our hearts and defending our thoughts with His truth?! This “pandemic” has not taken God by surprise. He calls us to trust and persevere in prayer (Ephesians 6:18). Rest in His sovereign care (Luke 12:7), cling to His Word, and pray in everything (Philippians 4:6). God said in Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”

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