Conquering COVID

As we take inventory of the state of affairs in the earth today, we must realize several
foundational truths if we are to maintain our mental health during such turbulent
times. These truths are self evident in their merit and must be given the utmost
attention.

1. Dare to see and believe that God is yet in control.

The Bible declares that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Furthermore
the Scriptures declare that God created the heaven and the earth and again that He
upholds all reality by the word of His power. John tells us that through the Logos,
God created all of reality. The translation is simple: God created everything and He
holds all of existence together by His very word which houses His unique power.
Anything one creates and sustains is necessarily within one’s control.

Although evil has been in the world since the Original sin, and it is still in the world
(and rest assured this virus is evil) God still sits on His throne. He and He alone is
omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Therefore, there is no reason to fear or
despair, even in the midst of worldwide crisis. The same God Who created and sustains
all of reality still retains His power and sovereignty. I do not believe God caused this
virus to be, but He has allowed this pandemic to sweep the world Yet in a moment this
same God can cleanse the planet of this pestilence with one thought, one Word from
his mouth. If He can (re)create the world with a few phrases, if Jesus can cast out
legions of devils with a word; if Jesus can heal chronic severe illness with a touch;
surely a virus is no match for the Omnipotent God! Thus, we can remain confident
that even if we contract COVID-19, God can heal!

2. Dare to see and believe that God is yet with you.

People are isolating themselves partly out of social responsibility and partly out of fear.
Social gatherings are limited and few in number. Family gatherings are limited to those
who live with you. It is therefore common for loneliness to creep into our
consciousness in a real way.

But the prophet Isaiah speaks eloquently and succinctly to us now. The prophet
declares the following concerning his God in chapter 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am
with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help
thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” For all those
who have put their trust in Jesus, we must hold onto the belief that the God we believe
in has not left us in this trying hour. He is still our God. He still provides us strength.
He still helps us. He still upholds us. Why does He do this? Precisely because God is
our God! Thus, Jesus is yet with us, to walk with us through this trying time,
providing all we need to thrive in this time.
3. Dare to see and believe that God’s responsibilities toward you are not hindered by
a pandemic.
This truth may be difficult to grasp by those who had terrible or nonexistent
relationships with their natural fathers. Fathers, good fathers, are bound to parent
their children in a covenantal relationship. The Bible teaches us that fathers are bound
to perform the roles of protector, provider, prophet, and priest to their offspring. These
roles are to be in effect until the death of the child. (Even in death, a father can
function in these roles through the legacy and inheritance they amassed and
transferred to their children.)

God is the model for this functionality of the human father. God, because He created
us all, is bound to care for His children-by-creation. This is why the Bible declares that
He, “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just
and on the unjust.” This is why even certain people mired in sin enjoy provisions,
protection, and comforts in this life. He loves us all and desires that none of us should
perish. Thus, God utilizes His ultimate goodness towards us, exemplified though the
fulfillment of His responsibilities towards us, draw us into intimate fellowship with
Him (Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 2:4)

This is part of how we can attain and sustain a victorious mindset within the context of
a worldwide crisis. Believing that God is still in control eases all anxiety and fear of
danger, hurt, harm, or the unknown. Believing that God is with us grants us a certain
peace and calm in the midst of the storm. Finally, believing that God will continue to
honor His responsibilities towards His children-by-creation grants us hope and even
faith for present and future preservation and prosperity!

BE BLESSED IN JESUS’ NAME!