Coping with the Coronavirus

Uncertainty: the stock market is dropping, we have a national election this year. Before this a top story is that climate change is going to destroy our planet in the next few years!

Stress: personal stress including financial, relational with family or friends, occupational stress with work demands, new boss, unethical coworkers

Bottom Line: Christians have the resources to cope with the coronavirus and any calamity.

1. Evaluate Philippians 4:5a, James 3:17, Proverbs 22:3

Philippians 4:5 ESV

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

Be alert to what is going on.

James 3:17 NIV

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

A. Be wise

Don’t be swept up in the confusion. It is wise to pause and ask questions. There are reasonable sources. If you hear something wild or extreme, check it out.

Proverbs 22:3 NIV

3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

B. Be aware

What’s going on? What is actually happening?

Corona virus: People are getting sick. The symptoms don’t manifest right away. It isn’t yet in our area.

Other issue: My __________ dad, mom, sister, friend is sick. This is the situation.

What are the facts?

2. Validate God’s role Philippians 4:5b, Genesis 41:28-31

The Lord is at hand. There are things we can be sure of during calamity.

A. God is in control

Genesis 41:28–31 NIV

28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe.

God knows all about your struggle. What it is, why it happened and when it will end.

Don’t assume you know what God is doing. Don’t assume this is God’s punishment. It may be but it may not be. It is not for us to pronounce judgment for God.

B. God is with us through calamity.

Who are some people who experienced hardship in the Bible?

Joseph, sold as a slave.

Moses’s parents when when Moses was born.

Moses when the people complained about God and Moses’s leadership.

David running for his life from Saul.

The early church we persecuted.

Paul when beaten and thrown in jail.

You when . . .

There are things we can’t be sure of! Don’t speculate. Don’t get caught up in all the “What if’s?” Don’t contribute to the problem by spreading rumors or fear. Don’t suggest you know what God is doing!

3. Demonstrate Philippians 4:6, 8, 9

Act in a way that demonstrates you understand what is happening and you trust God.

A. Pray Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

This is not a last option, it is our first option.

For those who are sick. Romans 12:15, 2 Cor. 1:4

Romans 12:15 NIV

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

For those who are worried.

2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV

4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

That the gospel will spread.

B. Think Philippians 4:8

We demonstrate our faith in God by what we choose to think about.

Philippians 4:8 NIV

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

C. Act Philippians 4:9, Proverbs 24:10

Praying is doing but it isn’t the only thing we should do.

Philippians 4:9 NIV

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Do good. Help others in need. Give to those in need. Be merciful. People are suffering with the problem and with fear.

Breakpoint reports:

Facing both increased persecution and the coronavirus, Chinese Christians would be forgiven for going underground. Yet according to a CBN report, Christians in Wuhan are “out into the streets. . . They give out masks and they say that they are Christians and they share the love of Christ.”

WORLD Magazine also reported how members of one Chinese church have been ministering to medical personnel, delivering food and supplies to a quarantined family, leading a dying woman who was visiting Wuhan to Christ, and then filming her memorial service for family back home. The transcript of the service has already received tens of thousands of page views.

https://www.breakpoint.org/chinese-christians-and-the-coronavirus/

https://world.wng.org/2020/02/seeking_peace_in_sickness

Don’t be anxious. The Lord is at hand! Don’t be anxious.

Proverbs 24:10 NIV

10 If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

Don’t faint.

4. Appreciate Philippians 4:6

Be thankful.

A. Be thankful for God

His power, wisdom and compassion.

B. Be thankful for peace

This is the evidence that we are trusting God!

Discussion Questions

Are you worried about the coronavirus?

What is your personal concern regarding the coronavirus?

What do you need to do more? Pray, think or act?

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