It’s Time to Rise Above Fear (11/5)
Mark Barbee

Now that politicking is abated for a while, it is time to look at what is true and what has been fear-mongering.  How many times did Jesus say, “Fear Not.”  Whether it was storms or persecution, Jesus said “Fear Not”.  Fear depresses and paralyzes.  We can’t let it dominate our lives.  

Let’s replace fear with facts and then with faith.  That doesn’t mean ignoring common sense or precautions.  But consider this, most people have had to keep working through the pandemic.  Also know that the pandemic is working its way through the population.  The fact is, we can’t stop it.  But it follows a pattern of other viruses and once it makes its way through, there is less danger.  The more people who have had it and recovered, the less the potential for further spreading.  I have said from the beginning that we have not been given all the facts, nor given them in context.  When huge numbers are thrown at us, remember the number that are recovering.  

We are hearing of more and more people who have had Covid and have already recovered, including the President who is 74.  Through the raw numbers of cases are high, we are not told how many have mild cases.  Case numbers may help us spot trends, but they are not the same as hospitalizations which are declining overall, as well as deaths.  Yes, there are temporary spikes.  But again, we are not told when those spikes descend!  The death rate continues to drop, even among those who get the virus.  Those who get the virus still have a 99.9% recovery rate.  

Schools are starting back safely—starting with our own Fairfield Christian Academy.  Things are going well.  Precautions are taken.   A few have quarantined when necessary.  Children’s cases are mild and brief.  

It’s understandable that some have been fearful.  But I also find that when people turn to their faith, their fears subside.  When we return to normal activities, we gain confidence.  Our lives are in God’s hands.  That is what the Bible teaches.  There is no life without some risk.  Though big government people want you to think they can take care of you, we know their limitations.  

After the dust settles, shutdowns do not seem to be effective.  More and more physicians are opposing such extreme measures, which ultimately cause more harm to people.   Let us hope that this experiment in social control is soon over.  Meanwhile, continue to claim Scriptures such as Psalm 91- 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence… You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  

Lord, we pray for truth to come forth about the virus, about statistics and treatments.  Lord, we pray for vaccines to come soon, to protect our most vulnerable.  Lord, help us to take precautions but not live in fear.  Lord, let us not take dire predictions too seriously.  Lord, let us be wise about the ulterior motives of mainline media, including drama, profit and bias.  And let us demand that they let dissenting voices and scientists speak.  

Lord, we rebuke the spirit of fear that comes from the enemy.  Together we say, “Fear is a liar.”  “The Lord is my refuge and my fortress.”  Lord, our lives are in your hands.

Lord, restore jobs and income to those who have been shut down or displaced.  Lord, open up the churches that have been shut down by governors in some parts of the country.  Restore the joy of our salvation and eternal assurance in the midst of challenging times.  And Lord, use the discomfort of people to turn their hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ!  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen