SPEAK FAITH, NOT FEAR

Scrolling through my newsfeed on social media, I find it both comical and disappointing that almost everyone is a news reporter constantly announcing, “Breaking: VIP X tests positive for COVID-19,” which isn’t even technically right as I recently learnt.**

Many sound like contracting the disease is invariably a death sentence, which it isn’t as many carriers have only mild symptoms and over 95 per cent of cases recover, the most vulnerable being the elderly and folks with underlying medical conditions. However, a disease with no approved cure or vaccine that spreads like wild fire is horrifying and this one is mowing people down in Western democracies that have the best healthcare systems on the planet. So, everyone is advised to take safety precautions of hand washing, the use of sanitisers, social distancing and so on.

But when we all take it upon yourselves to regurgitate all the bad news which is the preferred fare of news organisations (bad news is actually good news to them), we paint a very gloomy picture that browbeats people and makes it harder for their bodies to fight the virus if they catch it.

We know the situation is dreary without everyone pummelling us with it. And as Christians, we are certainly not called to promote fear. We are called to preach the gospel and the gospel is good news. That good news is from the word of God, which strengthens people’s hearts at a distressing time like this. We need to fill ourselves with it daily and share therefrom to encourage others.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom” – Colossians 3:16 (ESV).

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Besides, we have servants of God who are prophesying a quicker end to this pandemic and less loss of lives than projected by the scientists. They are also speaking about restoration of economic losses and revival. (See some of these declarations in the references below.)

The question that arises is: Whose report do you believe?

Do not answer that in a haste. If you’re a Spirit-filled believer, read and pay attention to what trusted ministers of God are saying. See if they do not resonate with your spirit. Then pray about these prophecies to be sure that the natural desire for a quick end to affliction is not behind them.

Furthermore, reminisce over your walk with God. If you’ve known Him for long, I’m pretty certain He’s done some unbelievable things in your life: healings, deliverances, provision, all kinds of turnarounds. Use your testimonies from those amazing experiences to assure others of God’s faithfulness.

That does not mean you go about giving a blanket promise that no one shall die from COVID-19. People are dying and will continue to die until it is contained. Some of these people might be Christians, some of who were due home with the Lord anyway. We can and should pray for divine protection and healing upon people through our Saviour, Jesus Christ, but ultimately God decides who survives and who doesn’t and that’s okay. As born-again Christians, we are better off with the Lord than here if that is what He decides.

Let’s not carry a weight the Lord has not put on us- insisting on temporal matters as if they are more important than anything else. And let’s not be insensitive- gloating about our survival as though we are better than those who have been infected or died. No one knows tomorrow.

Perhaps, the Lord has seen you through some excruciating situations: bereavement, material loss, etc. That would help you relate with those in similar grief now and console them. The Lord “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV

So anyway you look at it, God has a vessel in you: a vessel to share faith in Him, to build strength to endure and overcome and to project hope in this current dim situation. Keep doing that and God will use you to counter the mortifying effect of the endless stream of bad news about COVID-19 everywhere.

Prayer:
Our Lord and our God, help me to frequently shine the light of Your word to dispel the darkness terrorising souls during this grim pandemic season. Help me to magnify You in the sight of people as the Almighty God who loves them and is watching over them if they are His, rather than playing up the fears tormenting them. Help me to also bring the message of salvation through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross to those who need it. This I pray in Jesus’ name.
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❤️
Kindly share a word of encouragement to anyone reading this via the comments section.  God bless you richly in Jesus’ name.
❤️
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**(According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus has been officially named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) while the ailment it causes has been dubbed coronavirus disease (COVID-19). So, someone tests positive for SARS-Cov-2 or you simply say coronavirus since most people know we are in the midst of a pandemic caused by a novel strain of it. Such a person comes down with COVID-19, just like a person who tests positive for HIV develops AIDS.)

Scriptural References

“… give one another chozek (strength) eachand every day …” -Yehudim in Moshiach 3:13 (Orthodox Jewish Bible- OJB)

“… build one another up every day. …” – Hebrews 3:13 (NIRV)

“… encourage one another day after day, …” – Hebrews 3:13 (NAS)

Other References

Naming the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the virus that causes it

Shawn Bolz Prophesies: Millions Won’t Die From COVID-19 and the Economy Will Surge

Prophetic Dream Reveals What God Is Saying About Trump and the Coronavirus
(This because if Trump gets it right, we might just be able to push back for a while longer the One World Government proponents with their perversion of religion, mandatory vaccinations and ID chips.)

22 comments

  • Anekwe Paschaline

    Thank you MA for this write-up. I believe that whatever happens, happens for a reason. I pray and hope for healing on those that have contracted the illness and I also hope that we do not lose faith and believe that God will see us through.

    • That’s the soirit, my dear! May the Lord keep you and yours safe in Jesus’ name.

      • Ejiofor Emmanuel

        Amen
        Christians should remind themselves of who they are; the children of God. God gave us power and in faith we can pull through this. Let us not stop praying and encouraging one another. Consoling the bereaved. God will see us through this menace

  • Ezike Winifred udochukwu

    If there is any part of the Bible I know by heart is the psalm 91 ,,I believe this is just a phase and God will see us through,even those in pains right now that have contacted the disease., I pray God heals them ,we should observe preventive measures and proper hygiene and most important PRAY!!!..GOD BE WITH US.Nice post ma thank u❤️

  • Amaugo Stephanie Chidinma

    Just as Winifred said, Psalm 91 is just the Bible chapter for this season. What will kill people faster than Covid 19 is fear. “We are certainly not called to promote fear. ” May the Lord heal our land. Thank you so much for this Ma. Amen to your prayers!

  • Chinecherem Grace Stephens

    “For God had not given us the spirit of fear…” Times like this is when we apply this scripture. I definitely will trust the report of the Lord!
    Truth is, most people will likely die of fear rather than the virus itself. We believers are to spread hope and not fear.

    But seriously, why should we be afraid? These are written in the Scriptures and they must happen. A time like now is when we are to take our relationship with God very seriously, His coming is sooner than when we first believed!

  • Ezidimma odinakachukwu oluchukwu

    I don’t think that the corona virus is a death sentence! The thing that might even kill someone is fear. Although it has killed some persons but I believe that God has a plan and won’t let it linger.
    Although other plagues may come up, but let us as Christians fear not for Jesus is able to save us.
    I pray that those who have contracted the virus will be healed in Jesus name, Amen.

  • Obeta Lillian Chiamaka

    Faith is the only thing that would get us through this phase of life. So we should try as much as possible to pray well and keep believing in God.

  • Ochei Anthony Arinze

    Amen, thank you so much for this motivational writeup and I pray that God will give hope to the hopeless especially to those that have contacted the virus already

  • Nnachetam favour chinecherem

    When Nigeria got its first case of COVID-19 I told some persons that the fear of this virus if people are not cautioned, will kill more than the virus itself. Faith comes by hearing, what we hear has a way of determining our attitude. Let’s spread hope instead of fear. Thank you ma for this.

  • The moment does not call for we Christians
    entertain fear or panic.. CHRIST is superior to every infirmity and disease I always have it on the balcony of my heart.. So covid-19 is just a loser…

  • Richards Orighomisan Mercy

    Truly the word of God gives life, every word of hope spoken in the bible is Jesus himself, He is the river of life. Let’s all endeavor to jump into this river in this season, fill your hearts and minds with the word of God. Its the best use of our quarantine. Thanks a lot ma for sharing.

  • Ossai Chidimma Linda

    This is the reason why I have been off social media for quite sometime, its necessary to remove yourself from uncomfortable situations that make you question your faith, nonetheless, I pray for healing upon the sick and courage for all the discouraged and to those who can barely afford a meal ,may God remember you. Amen!

  • Ugwoke Jennifer Chinecherem

    Psalm 91:3 tells us that God will keep us safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases, I believe that God knows about this pandemic and has a reason for allowing it happen. And I know he would not allow us perish like this. Amen

  • Anabude Oluchi

    There is every need to kill the spirit of fear by digesting the word of God. Fear only makes things worse than they were and most people contribute to this by always being keen to post the rising numbers of infections in different states and which is very bad and has done no good. All we need to always keep at heart is God Almighty’s intervening power and that He is in control of the universe. Despite the fact that we are looking up to God though, we should observe the required safety measures and, most importantly, make our ways right with God.

  • Anabude Oluchi m.

    There is every need to kill the spirit of fear by digesting the word of God, fear only makes things worst than it was before. All we need to always keep at heart is God’s almighty intervening power and being in control of the universe but despite the fact we are looking up to God we should observe those safety measures and most importantly make our ways right with God.

  • Nnochiri Chinecherem Nnabuike

    I totally agree with this post. Faith is the most powerful tool to walk with in life. It is through Faith in God that we can overcome evil

  • Onuzulike Chukwuebuka Prosper

    Faith is the most powerful tool to walk with in life. It is through Faith in God that we overcome challenges, this is something we cannot cannot do if we have fear

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