Yesterday and today I’ve been taking note of news’ headlines from a variety of sources. One headline confirmed what I already knew: “Today’s news cycle is dominated by one thing: the rise and spread of the novel coronavirus.” Here are some other headlines that verify the one I just quoted:
“Washington state confirms 10th coronavirus death”
“Alex Azar encouraged by proposed coronavirus vaccine timeline”
“Coronavirus delays James Bond movie ‘No Time to Die’ release date”
“When the Coronavirus Comes to Church: Are You Prepared?”
“California reports first death related to coronavirus”
“Korean Churches Close for the First time as Coronavirus Cases Hit 3,700”
“The Dow Is Up 900 Points After Congress Agrees on $8.3 Billion Package to Battle Coronavirus”
And these are just a few of the many headlines dominating the news cycle.
Not only have I been taking note of the headlines, I have also listened to a few interviews and discussions with people who know a lot more about this virus than the rest of us do.
So my question is, should we be worried? And my answer at this point is, I’m not sure. Fear is certainly rampant with many, but others do not seem to be concerned at all. Should Christians be calm or anxious? There is a lot of teaching in the Bible about worry and faith, but I don’t think it teaches us to be uninterested or unengaged or oblivious to what is going on around us and in the world. Perhaps we should neither be panicked nor carefree.
What seems to me not to be helpful is distorted information passed along by those who do not really know what they are talking about. Neither is the blame-gaming of politicians; one writer noted they are “turning a health issue into a political football to be kicked around.”
I’m in no position to tell anyone else what to do, but I’m thinking I need to be aware, alert, and responsive to people who know far more than I do. I also hope to learn more about this illness as the experts continue to share information with the public. It seems reasonable to me as a believer that we can be concerned without being filled with worry. Having faith and trusting the LORD does not mean we have no responsibilities for others and ourselves.
One other thing I plan to do, and encourage you to do as well, is regularly pray about this attention getting situation in which we find ourselves. Let’s pray for our leaders, our medical personnel – doctors, nurses, caregivers, and those working on a vaccine, those who have the virus, and those who have lost loved ones due to the virus.
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Pastor Bob Mink 
I feel that the media puts all in the state of paranoia which is what they do best! You see it all on the new stations, on the radio, on Facebook, on Twitter, and many other forms of social media. So we are getting hit with frantic and distorted coronavirus news from many forms of media and several times a day if not more! I think the key is to be alert and be aware and take precautions (washing hands and sanitizer) but also maybe cut back on the amount of times you watch or read media news. And yes…..Definitely pray! Debra
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Thanks Bob. Interesting read
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