Skip to main content

"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.”

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Star Light

I remember, when I was a child, my brother and I wanted to camp out in our front yard. We even talked our friends into joining us. We begged our parents to let us sleep out under the stars without a tent, because it would not rain that evening. It was somewhat foolish, but we were not thinking about the insects, strong winds, or even the morning dew. We just thought it would be fun to sleep outside. I think we lasted a solid hour in the dark, but once the cold wind blew and the mosquitoes landed, our imagination dissipated and we ran back indoors. Though we didn't stay out long, I do remember the stars that night. They were unusually bright and seemed to crowd the sky more than any other night. I don't think I will ever “grow out of” being in awe over the beauty of stars. I don't believe King David did either. He wrote in Psalms 19, “ The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made. One day tells a story to the next. One night shar...

Madam Darkshade continued

My most despicable Marah, The abyss of my heart has grown beyond measure! Everything your sister has told me about your efforts - how undeniably successful they are - is just another reminder as to why I always saw myself in you. So, that foolish grungy has finally declared himself as bishop. Naturally, during their meeting, there was tremendous conflict and a choosing of sides. Classic. It reminds me of the struggle at Corinth, when so many fought over who was on Paul's side and who was on Apollos' side. Of course, you are much too young to know what I am referring to! Now, I must remind you that there is still much work to be done. Divide and conquer. The ecclessia is split, therefore, waste no time instilling pride and hatred. I know you are enticing our self exalted puppet to start his own assembly, which is good, but before he does, through slander and lies, he must cripple those who withstood him. Make him feel betrayed. As if he were a great captain who ...

The Devil Wears a Tie (Continued)

Of all the ways the devil will tempt a person, catering to one's vanity is his favorite means to get them to fall. After all, before the inception of time, he also succumbed to pride. He believed he had an inward right to the heavenly throne, and through promulgating the potential of self exaltation to other angelic beings, he led a massive insurrection against the Almighty. There was absolutely no chance of a “successful rebellion”, but reason often dissipates when one is steeped in prideful bitterness. Simply put, the devil began to hate God, for being, God. This attitude of entitlement parades itself in every heart. We may be able to mask it for a while, but given enough hardships and displeasure, we often become the corrupted clay, vilifying the ways of God and distrusting the commands of His word (Isaiah 29:16). The apostle Paul's warning to believers at Ephesus was,  “Don't give the devil any opportunity to work  (Ephesians 4:27).” Yet, in the garden of Eden, we ...