No Spirit of Fear
No Spirit of Fear
As we check the latest numbers on the spread of coronavirus, we rejoice in what one writer has pointed out: 100% of the world is still under God’s control. We need not fear, for he is with us. Rather than huddling like scared sheep, may we be people of hope and deep trust in God.
Here is some encouragement from our OMS director of Member Care, Dr. Troy Backhuus:
“With more businesses and restaurants temporarily closing, anxiety is on the rise. But anxiety has its purpose. It informs us to be prepared for future situations. However, anxiety is not meant to rule us, nor is it possible to be prepared for every situation. At some point, faith in God must take over as we walk without worry (Matt. 6:25-34).
“We learn from Scripture to take the anxious thought in, to capture it, and be in control of it (2 Cor. 10:5). Ignoring or suppressing an anxious thought does not make the emotion go away. The energy from that emotion is still in us and emotions find other ways of expression, many times in not so healthy ways. Sometimes, anxiety and fear are expressed as another emotion like sadness, depression, irritability, or anger, and other times as physical issues such as hypertension, neck pain, headaches, digestive problems, etc. (*Feldner, 2006). In 2 Corinthians, Paul is instructing us to take the thought into captivity and be in control of it. With the power we have in the Holy Spirit, any anxious thought can be managed and controlled.
“Paul reminds us of that we do not have a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). There is so much information and multiple stories regarding the virus, it can be overwhelming. We have an intercessor, the Spirit of God, who gives us focus and self-control when the world’s futility becomes evident in its hysterics.
“There is a reality to this as Christians and that is we are in this too (Matthew 5:45). The virus shows no partiality. We are not exempt from disease or hardship. It is how we respond to it that makes us different. We respond knowing we have a Spirit that is more powerful than even death. He keeps us calm and in control in every circumstance. His influencing peace is on display in us when a world is in panic. The world will know we are different when it sees how we respond with peace, calm, love, and compassion.”
Our most important work during these days is to PRAY. May we look for ways to help, encourage, and bless others. May we discern the opportunities God is opening to give the reason for the hope within us. And may an awareness of God’s loving-kindness, honor, and redemption grow in the lives of many in these critical days!
These words, penned by Frances Havergal in 1876, encourage us in this season of uncertainty and fear:
Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully, all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:3-4). “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Bob Fetherlin, Global President, One Mission Society
References*
Feldner, M., Zvolensky, M., Stickle, T., Bonn-Miller, M., & Leen-Feldner, E. (2006). “Anxiety sensitivity-physical concerns as a moderator of the emotional consequences of emotion suppression during the biological challenge: An experimental test using individual growth curve analysis.” Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(2), 249-272. DOI:10.1016/j.brat.2005.02.003
World Health Organization. (2020). “Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).” https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-china-joint-mission-on-covid-19-final-report.pdf