“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
The apostle writing to the Philippian congregation gave them some spiritual advice concerning worry in a believer’s life, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6. The “anything” that Paul mentions in the first portion of this verse, is applicable to the rapidly changing situation concerning the Coronavirus or COVID-19 that the whole world is experiencing at this moment. For some, this occurrence can be frustrating, confusing and even cause anxiety and fear in others.
It is easy to tell someone what not to do or what not to say about something or how not act in a certain way when confronting a difficult and challenging situation. However, what Paul tells his readers in the second half of this verse is quite different, he tells them (and us) what to do and how to do it instead of being anxious.
The second half of this verse begins with the word “but” which is the introduction or the alternative of being anxious. This is where Paul tells them and us what to do and how to do it. “…but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”. As with “anything”, “…in everything” can also apply to the many different personal challenges to what we all are experiencing today and will be experiencing concerning the Coronavirus or COVID-19 in the weeks and months to come.
As Christians, in this uniquely challenging period of our lives, following and practicing what the Word of God teaches us is our first responsibility. However, in addition, we need to also be knowledgeable and adhere to what the medical experts and government authorities are informing us to do. 1 Peter 2:13-15, 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
The Below is some information that was given to every adult on Sunday March 15th to help the Hope Chapel family navigate all the information and news which can be overwhelming.
Hope Chapel, Sunday March 8th 2020, Coronavirus or COVID-19
- Pray that we will be driven by faith and not fear.
Psalms 91:1-8a
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes…
- Let others see, hear and experience who God is in you.
1 John 4:16-18
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 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.
- Be informed with reliable sources to keep yourself from being misinformed.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
- Sound Judgment comes from discernment and knowledge centered in God’s word
Proverbs 3:21-26
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
- If we are continually living in Christ, in an intimate relationship, the peace of God is guarding our hearts (emotions) and our minds (thoughts).
Anxiety – “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.”
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Where our hearts are, our minds will also be, which is demonstrated in our actions that others see.
Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Pastor John
