With all the stuff that happened in 2020, I found myself thinking about a certain passage of Scripture more and more often. I even looked up the meaning of one of the words in it when the COVID-19 virus strutted its awful stuff across our entire planet.
But before I share that verse with you, let’s dig into the question of whether or not fear is a sin.
One thing I do know about fear for sure. It’s a motivator.
It motivates us to either fight, flight, or freeze. While editing a section in my memoir manuscript about the times I froze when under attack, I wondered why I did that. I postulated fear was holding me hostage. I was afraid the perpetrator would hurt me worse if I retaliated.
It’s true that sometimes to save your life you must freeze. In some circumstances, to fight would fuel the fury.
It’s also true that flight may be the best option to choose. The sooner the better may circumvent a freeze. If we suspect we’re in danger, fleeing to a safe place is wise. I’ve gotten adept at heeding the nudge to dodge danger.
Fear can cause us to call on the Lord for comfort or deliverance. In the case of COVID-19, fear caused me to pay closer attention to what the Bible says about end times. Here is what I found in Luke 21: 9-11 KJV:
But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Luke 21: 9-11 KJV
The word pestilences popped off the page. I looked it up. Here is where I confess I had images of pests swarming over the earth. The Merriam-Webster dictionary says otherwise.
It’s an infectious disease or plague.
Oh my, that describes COVID-19 perfectly. Did you notice what else Luke 21:9 KJV said?
Be not terrified.
What a kind and gracious God we have. He warned us ahead of time what was to come. The signs of end times have been described in the Bible as labor pains. When a pregnant couple has gone through nine months of gestation, trust me, labor pains are a good sign. It means the mama and the papa get to meet their bambino soon and very soon.
Coming face to face with our Lord and Savior is nothing to be afraid of. It’s a joyous occasion to look forward to. It’s the end of our faith race and the beginning of the longest praise-fest ever held in the universe.
God doesn’t tell us the signs to scare us; He tells us because He cares about us. He doesn’t want us to be petrified, He wants us to be jubilant. He is a calmer of fears and a wiper of tears.
Is it a sin to be afraid? I think it’s what we do with fear that matters most:
• Do we run to God and His Word when we’re afraid?
• Or do we binge-scroll the newsfeeds until we’re unable to sleep at night?
• Do we fight for our family’s, friends’, and community’s’ safety by praying?
• Or do we freeze and escape into sleep, food, or the internet?
I think fear is a feeling. As long as we don’t allow it to override faith, we don’t need to feel shame. Fear is the town crier warning us to take cover. It tells us to gird up with godly strength to defend our loved ones and protect ourselves. Fear is a call to pray. Fear is a reminder to walk by faith.
And if the worst thing we feared happens to us or to our loved ones? What then? THIS: What happens to us can’t defeat us when we remember whose we are.
When I recently heard on the news there was a new strain of COVID that’s easily caught and speedily spread, fear flashed through me. But only for a second. I turned my thoughts to God and His Word and remembered this is the way of labor. Labor intensifies as it progresses. This is part of the end times and the beginning of Christ’s return.
Our job isn’t to guess what year or day Jesus will return. Our job is to trust God, obey the government health authorities, and be kind to our neighbors.
Jesus wants to find us faithful when He returns for us—not fearful. #faith #COVID19 Click To Tweet
And now I’d like to close with a poem:
The world may weep amidst its pain
as earth’s labor progresses
but God still has things in control
And He has plans to bless us
~
The world may seem to be at loss
to fix its growing problems
but Christ’s return is very soon
and He’ll swiftly dissolve them.
~ wlm
What happens to us can’t defeat us when we remember whose we are. #Jesus #podcast Click To Tweet
Hope Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
I’m nosy-to-know what verse or quote is helping you hang onto God’s hope?
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Thank you, Wendy, for a timely reminder.
Thank you, Michael. Since posting this I heard of yet another new version of the virus present in Canada. God’s got this. I shall not fear.
Back in March, a local sister-in-Christ had the very same word jump out at her. She phoned me very excited after looking up the definition. Knowing the meaning of “pestilence” puts a new perspective on the passage–a hopeful future combined with the labor pain analogy. Great post! Thank you for sharing your insights.
Together we can say, “Hallelujah, the King is coming!”
Thank you, dear Manette. I’m glad God warns us and comforts us. The news would be depressing without faith in the Good News.
Blessings for 2021 ~ Wendy Mac
Beautiful post, Wendy!
Thank you, dear Gail.
Blessings for 2021 ~ Wendy Mac
Beautiful words, dear Wendy. I just wrote a note to another friend as we were discussing these times: May we keep our eyes looking UP, watching as our redemption is getting closer! And I was so touched now, with your words here: “Fear is a call to pray. Fear is a reminder to walk by faith.” In that looking up, we are lifting our prayers to HIM, instead of down in despair where fear would want us to stay. Thank you so much for your precious encouragement, dear sister.
Thank you, dear Bettie, for blessing me.
Hugs & prayers for 2021 ~ Wendy Mac
So encouraging and comforting Wendy! Thank you for reminding us of who He is …worthy and faithful and loving. We can trust Him. Blessings !
Thank you, dear Deb. I’m so glad that He not only loves us, He watches over us. Always. Blessings.
i am in constant “debate” with those who spread conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and those who claim it is all a hoax. It is tiring. I use the same as your last sentence each time.Love God. Love neighbour. Healthy love for self. These three trump all fear-mongering, insults, extreme calls for revolution and everything else. I am answering those who in Proverbs we are told not to engage, and I get why – a closed mind has no key for opening. Anyway, your thoughts are solid. Perfect love casts our fear, the Bible says. God’s perfect love works on me. May I have the humility and patience to point them to that love. By the way, I am related to all these people and most (all?) claim to be Christians. That is why I persist. Fear not…
Peace
My heart goes out to you for needing to deal with hoax speech. And I admire you for preaching truth and safety. Blessings, brother.
Such a beautiful and meaningful message, Wendy. Lovely poem too. Praise be to God for His Faithfulness and Love! ❤
Thank you, dear Iris. Amen to God’s faithful love for us. Blessings. <3
Thank you. 🙂
I’ve never felt more at the beginning of seeing the end. When fear rises, I keep reminding myself to be joyful. It might get bad but it’ll get better. One day. ❤
Yes. <3 One day all will be better than we ever could have imagined.