Panic, Presumption, or Peace During a Plague

Yes, there is much in the world to cause panic, if we look at things from the world’s point of view. There’s a plague, which could infect us, our families, or other loved ones. Then there’s lack. Lack of money due to less employment. Lack of food due to shortages. Lack of necessities due to quarantine. Even more terrifying is our lack of control in the situation. With the uncertainty of what we are even dealing with, we really don’t even know what we don’t know. All these reasons and more may cause us to panic and feel fear. Yet, according to Dr. Caroline Leaf, “Toxic, fearful thinking shifts our bodies into toxic stress, which can cause the blood vessels around the heart to constrict, and this means there will be less blood flow and oxygen to the brain, and 1400 neurophysiological responses can work against us instead of for us, potentially making us more vulnerable to viruses.” (Click here for a link to her article on this situation.) Although anxiety is one of the most unhealthy things we can possibly do during a time when we need a strong immune system, here we are feeling fear, anxiety, and mental distress when we look at things from the world’s point of view.

So, is the alternative to live presumptuously, imagining that we are immune to diseases? One of the normal characteristics of teenagers (and why their car insurance is so expensive) is a belief that nothing bad will happen to them, which is why they often try dangerous stunts. Obviously, that is not living wisely. We cannot ignore problems, deny danger, or refuse to listen to reasoning. Closing our eyes to situations around us does not mean we are living in faith in God. If we never face danger, we never need saving. If we never have sickness, we never need healing. If we never experience hardship, we never need relief. Avoiding admitting problems doesn’t mean we have faith; it means we are living in presumption.

Panic is not from God. Presumption is not faith in God.

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The issue is; What are we speaking? Because often, what we find coming out of our mouth, reveals what’s in our heart. As Proverbs 18:21 warns us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” What are we saying during this dark time in our world?

“We’re going to get sick!”

“I’m going to run out of money!”

“My business is going to fail!”

“I’m going to run out of medicine!”

What if instead we speak life?

“God is my healer!”

“God is my provider!”

What we need is peace – God’s peace – “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7) Since there is such power in our words, we should look at what it is we should be saying. Where do we get confidence to proclaim health and provision? From the Word of God. In the past, as I was dealing with depressions, I would proclaim over myself 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I suggest finding a Scripture that applies to your unique situation. If you don’t know of one, check Google. Type in “Scriptures on…” (Ignore the world’s answers and go straight to the expert – the Bible). Look in the thesaurus. Text or call a pastor or friend. Additionally, there is power in the name of Jesus. Last night my teenage son woke up with a nightmare. He immediately spoke the name “Jesus.” The fear faded and my son was left with what he described as a feeling that the presence of God was with him. He spent the next 45 minutes praying. He had peace.

So, did I just reveal the cure for all diseases? While I cannot promise you will never be sick, I can promise that God will never leave you. I can promise that, with God, you will accomplish your purpose.

Alright, I want to hear from you! What truth and Scriptures have you proclaimed over yourself in the past or are currently proclaiming? Please share because what you’ve found helpful may help others. Let’s help each other proclaim the peace of God over our life!