Pandemic uncertainty we are experiencing has led to extremes. Irrational or selfish behavior is rampant where fear has replaced sense OR those who understand the needs, step in to help. Some hoard and some share. My guess is the hoarders are: a. clearly selfish; b. ignorant, e.g. toilet paper stockpiling; and/or c. lacking faith and afraid. It’s good to be prepared but, buy and use resources wisely. If one buys all of the disinfectant wipes, sanitizers or paper products, how are the rest of us going to be clean? You won’t stay in your home forever! The combination of ignorance and fear is dangerous. It’s much better and smarter to share!! I’m not talking about going to visit people who are quarantined unless of course, you’re a healthcare provider, first responder or using PPE. I’m talking about thinking of others by following advice we’ve been given, being compassionate and sharing faith with anyone in need. Maybe offer to shop for people who can’t or shouldn’t be out. That would be a good thing to do instead of panicking or complaining.
Christians should know not to panic. God is in control. It’s sometimes hard to imagine our loving and merciful God displaying wrath and anger toward His people but, God’s punishments always have the purpose of repentance and restoration. I don’t know if this pandemic virus is part of God’s judgment, just an inevitable part of living in this world or a wake-up call. From the Old Testament we know He used plagues and diseases to show His Power but He used the same power through Jesus and the disciples to heal.
When we are connected to Christ, opportunities and blessings we can’t even imagine become available to us. We can be hopeful because we know that God hears our prayers and we can rely on His strength and power, not just our own. Without faith, hopes are just wishes without purpose. The life He has for us is beyond what we can imagine or achieve on our own. Knowing and depending on Him is the greatest peace anyone can have.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 37-39
Maybe that’s why people in Italy are singing from their windows!
“Hope floats, faith soars”