THRIVING IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

One of my most rewarding resources during this pandemic is HEALTHY FAITH AND THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS, edited by Kristi Mair and Luke Cawley. It contains 29 chapters by Christian authors and specialists on different aspects of the present challenges. The contributors include philosophers, physicians, theologians, evangelists, psychotherapists, counsellors, pastors, business leaders, marriage coaches and parenting advocates. While most of the writers are British they also include Americans and international speakers. The topics covered include Viruses and God’s good creation, The art of dying well, Grief and Comfort, Navigating loneliness, Healthy fear and keeping calm, Prayer in confinement, Humor in an age of tragedy, and an Afterword on God with us: a paradigm for life during the pandemic by Tom Wright. There are also sample prayers as an appendix.

My greatest takeaway is the historical perspective on natural disasters by Paul Copan, professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Florida. Humanity has had to deal with earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, plagues, yellow fever, cholera, malaria, polio, tuberculosis, pneumonia, sepsis, cancer. Viruses contribute to the carbon cycle which regulates the amounts of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere that are optimal for our existence. Death, disease, disasters and devastation do not have the final word because of the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of a new heaven and a new earth. Eleonore Stump writes.

Natural evil – the pain of disease, the intermittent and unpredictable destruction of natural disasters, the decay of old age, the imminence of death – takes away a person’s satisfaction with himself. It tends to humble him, show him his frailty, make him reflect on the transience of temporal goods, and turn his affections towards other-worldly things, away from the things of this world. (p.50)

A viral pandemic serves as a powerful reminder that we are not in control, and this can prompt us to cast ourselves upon God’s mercy. There is no way government mandates can prevent such calamities and it is futile to claim that they can fix it short of developing a vaccine. In the meantime we need to go about our lives without fear not blaming others for putting us at risk. Earlier generations have had to deal with greater challenges without the resources we enjoy. This is a worldwide phenomenon which will run its course in due time. Our children and grandchildren will look back upon how we coped and wonder why we panicked so easily. We have dealt with other natural disasters and the threat of nuclear war and have survived. Let us use this season in our lives to deepen our faith in Christ and his salvation.

Dr. Paul Coulter shares a prayer for us to use.

Father God, you have spoken to us with your strong hand upon us, warning us not to follow the fearfulness of our society in this moment. We need not fear coronavirus or its consequences, because you are our sanctuary in this storm.

We do not deny the suffering many are experiencing or our own anxiety in this moment, but we seek to honor you as the Holy One, to remember that Christ is our Lord. May we fear you alone in holy reverence and, in so doing, find freedom from all other fears.

May our words and actions in this time be consistent with these great truths. Help us to have confidence to speak hope and to give a reason for it to all who will listen. May many come to know Christ as Lord and to have eternal life through him.

Enable us to show help to others as a non-anxious presence and through appropriate provision. Help us to be wise in how we do this so that we do good and not anything harmful.

We pray for those in government to act wisely and to lead us well. Help us to be responsible citizens to make their work on our behalf easy.

We pray for your grace to lead well in our own areas of responsibility and to care well for our families and those who look to us as their shepherds.

We pray for those who are personally affected by the disease. Preserve life and bring healing to them, we ask, and comfort those who are mourning the loss of loved ones. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (p.334f.)