Fear Not — Including Covid

Psalm 91:7 NIV - A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

Are you in fear over covid?

We are told 10 percent of all deaths in the past few years are from covid. Perhaps this percentage is exaggerated, perhaps not. Either way, these people are dead. If they are Christ-followers then they have graduated to heaven and no one in heaven wants to come back to earth. Right? Do you believe that?

Do you have fear over the way the other 90 percent died? I'm guessing less so. If the news cycle were blasting fear-porn about dying from heart disease, cancer or accidents, what would change in your life?

We should all do what we can do to stay healthy.

- eat healthy

- exercise more

- build our immune systems

Before covid, we all knew this. During flu and cold season most of us were extra vigilant.

But with covid, there are many more choices we must make. And this is much more difficult because covid has been politicized.

- masks or no masks

- jabs or no jabs

- mandates or no mandates

All of this plays out through the media non-stop. Fear. Fear. Fear. Who do we believe? Science? The scientists who believe men can have babies and menstruate? CNN vs Fox? Florida vs California? Christian vs non-Christians. Blue vs Red?

Do you see what I mean? Lot's of various opinions to believe. Very political.

When I see someone driving a car alone in full covid gear, mask, shield, rubber gloves ... it's hard for me to perceive this as rational. Looks like fear to me.

When I see people waiting in lines for hours to get tested, I wonder if fear is driving them. This is more prevalent in cities locked down versus those cities who aren't. If you have symptoms then getting tested is common sense. We keep a personal supply of tests and treatments at home just in case. But if you don't have symptoms and you get tested, and hopefully the results are negative, then what? What if you get covid tomorrow?

I'm guessing most of the folks waiting in those long line are already vaccinated. How you protect yourselves is up to you. No serious judgment from me if your precautions don't affect me.

My warning to you is if you are a Christ-follower living in fear. Or, if you are tired of living in fear. Personally, I hate fear and don't tolerate it in my life. Why? Because fear tolerated is faith contaminated. I choose to live by faith not fear.

Fear-Not is in the scriptures over 365 times. When God instructs us to fear-not, this isn't a suggestion, it's a command from God. Why? Because God has not given us a spirit of fear. In fact, when you really understand how much God loves you, along with His protection over you, you won't fear. The source of fear is satan. Fear is only faith in satan's lies over God's biblical promises.

Does faith insulate you from trouble. No, the trouble with trouble is that it's inevitable. But so is God's deliverance from ALL trouble. (Psalm 34:19)

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT - For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

1 John 4:18 NIV - There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

So as the world and media intensify the fear-porn, wrap yourselves in the promises of God. Ask God what you should do. He promises to give you the wisdom to know what to do. (James 1:5)

What ever you do and whatever you believe, stay out of fear. If that's you walking outside alone with your covid gear on, and you're not in fear, no worries. I promise not to giggle if I see you. Live your life. You do you.

But living life in fear or faith is a choice. Choose faith in these two biblical promises.

Psalm 103:2-5 NIV Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 91:7 NIV - A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

Don't look to the donkey or the elephant for your health, peace or prosperity ... look to the Lamb.

Fear Not. Believe Only. Get Ready.
Gerald