Responding to the Coronavirus What can wise, faithful Christians do in the face of the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Five Biblical principles can help us. First, trust God. Psalm 91:1–3 says: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.” Does that guarantee that no Christian will ever get sick? No. But it assures us that God is in control, and if we suffer illness, it’s because that’s better for us. As Romans 8:28 says, “… for those who love God all things work together for good ….” Second, don’t fear. Keeping things in perspective can reduce fear. COVID-19 is a serious risk, but we live with others every day. In the average year, over 37,000 Americans die of flu and over 38,000 in traffic accidents. COVID-19 is likely, like most epidemics, to peak and fall in weeks or months and so is unlikely to kill that many Americans ever, let alone each year. God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were afraid, and He responded, “It is I; do not be afraid” (John 6:20). Why? In both instances, because God was with them. The most frequently repeated command in the Bible is “Do not be afraid,” or “Fear not.” Even in grave danger, Christians need not be afraid, for God is with us. Third, be prudent. Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12 say, “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” Prudence can be difficult. It requires attention not just to one danger but to many, including unintended consequences of our solutions. As long as possible, we should avoid drastic measures that destroy jobs and so cause poverty, which can pose even greater risks than COVID-19. But many recommendations to slow its spread make good sense, like
- washing our hands frequently and thoroughly with soap, and minimizing touching our faces,
- covering our mouths and noses with tissue when we cough or sneeze,
- minimizing personal contact beyond our families, and within them if we know a family member has been infected,
- avoiding large-group gatherings but practicing “social distancing” if we attend (keeping at least 5 or 6 feet apart, not shaking hands or hugging),
- staying home when sick, and if anyone in a household tests positive for COVID-19, keeping the entire household home.
Fourth, submit to governing authorities. Christians are bound by Scripture (Romans 13:1) to obey civil authorities unless they require us to disobey God. Hence we should, other than that exception, obey orders given as part of government’s efforts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Fifth, pray and work for revival. 2 Chronicles 7:13–14 says, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Disease doesn’t always indicate God’s judgment—sometimes it has an entirely different purpose and implies a great compliment about someone’s integrity, as with Job. Yet God often sends disease, as chastisement or punishment, on individuals, families, and nations. Hence we should spend time in serious prayer, asking God to reveal how we sin and to empower us to change. We should pray for our neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens and share the gospel with them; for our governing officials to have wisdom and humility; and for healthcare workers as they treat large numbers under difficult circumstances. To learn more about the Coronavirus and how to respond to it, read “What Is ‘Prudent Prudence’ in Response to the Coronavirus?” |
