Have Faith And Wash Your Hands
Have Faith And Wash Your Hands
Pastor Barry Kerner
I went to shake hands with someone at church this weekend, and he jokingly held up his elbow and with a smile, said, “I’m doing elbow bumps today, okay?” He then grasped my hand and pumped it up and down. In light of what’s going on in the world and in our communities it’s heartening to continue to find a bit of humor.
In an effort to control the spread of the Coronavirus, governments have ordered quarantines and lock downs. Schools have closed and businesses have shuttered to wait out the pandemic in an effort to “flatten the curve.” Guidelines have been issued to help individuals fight the virus: Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, use hand sanitizer, wash and disinfect surfaces often, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Local and state governments are promoting social distancing and the White House, to limit the transmission of the Coronavirus, has directed, no more than 10 people in one place.
Although things may appear to be spiraling out-of-control I find they’re not. When facing out-of-control situations that may cause anxiety, I have found it helpful to sort my concerns into two categories: First, what I can control and second, what I cannot control
There are many things we can control when it comes to the Coronavirus? We can wash our hands. We can use sanitizers and disinfectants. We can boost our immune systems with vitamins and extra sleep. We can stay home when we’re feeling sick and seek the help of medical professionals if our symptoms persist. We can practice social distancing and comply with any regulations our governments see fit to put in place. Those are some of the things we can control.
What about that second category? Can we control the Coronavirus? Can we control its outbreaks? Do we—as individuals—have ultimate control over what happens or how far this virus spreads? Can we control whether we or our families get sick? No, we can’t.
Here’s what we must remember. Just because we’re not personally in control of a situation, it doesn’t mean that God isn’t. Just because we feel like control is slipping out of our hands, it doesn’t mean that even one detail has slipped through the fingers of our all-powerful God.
Do you find yourself watching the news obsessively? Have you been vigilantly tracking the proximity of the outbreak? Do you have enough toilet paper to last you into the next year? Have you bought gallons of sanitizer or washed your hands till they are chapped and bleeding? Have you been spritzing your spray bottle of disinfectant on every surface of your home rather than attending to your spiritual well being? If so, perhaps it’s time to ask. Who are you trusting in? Who do you truly believe is in control of the situation? Where does your security lie? In God, or in yourself?
Only one word can adequately describe the feeling of despair we feel when life spirals out of control—fear. Even those of us who find our hope in Jesus can face overwhelming anxiety, especially when it comes to those things that are out of our control.
The good news is that God offers hope for us when we are afraid. In Scripture Jesus uses the imperative to tell us “Do not be afraid,” but it’s not always easy to take Him at his word. If we turn to God’s promises throughout the Bible, it becomes easier to face the future and know God is in control, He cares for his people, and He will not forsake us.
In Hebrews 13:6 the writer quoted the Psalms by saying, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” It was Jesus who taught us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread” and to acknowledge that He does. (Matthew 6:11) It was the apostle Paul who wrote, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) And then, the apostle Peter told us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
If the Coronavirus continues to spread and become more devastating, it will be easy, in the coming weeks and months, for many to lose hope and allow fear to control their lives. “For over 2,000 years, through plagues, wars, and natural disasters the Church of Jesus Christ has been a source of hope and compassion. Faith, not fear, should be our animating principle. Calm, not conspiracies, should be our societal contribution. Prayer, not panic, should be our spiritual practice.”
Whether this gets better or worse, I encourage you to turn to God’s Word and learn more about how believers can overcome anxiety in an uncertain world. To this end, stop back next Monday, March 23, when we will be discovering Biblical Truths For Losing Fear which will help you find true rest and hope in Christ and his promises.
“Yes, wash your hands and protect yourself, but put your faith in God and your trust in Him.”