July 24, 2020 – Click here to listen
As I talk to friends of mine from around the country, I’ve discovered two mindsets which I consider dangerous concerning the Covid pandemic. One faction has thrown all caution to the wind stating that the virus is all a bunch of poppycock and media hype. They go where they want to go and never wear masks and defiantly brag about it.
The other faction cowers at home and will not answer the door. They are so afraid they will get this dread disease that it is literally driving them crazy. Just going to the grocery store is a nerve wracking experience that evokes psychotic levels of anxiety.
The rest of them seem to be in the middle. They wear a mask when they enter public buildings or are around people who have congregated. They maintain the recommended distance at stores and wash their hands if they touch something that could possibly have been touched by someone else.
As with everything in life the radical factions clash with each other. I’ve read of at least two instances of people being shot and killed over not wearing a mask and several fist fights. The middle just seems to take it all in and writes the entire phenomenon off as the insanity of the times in which we live.
I’ve always been of the opinion that God gave us a brain and intellect and we are to use it. I’m not so sure of this anymore because many people these days don’t act like they have a brain or intellect.
The Covid crisis is not different than many things in life. There are those who throw caution to the wind and live their lives with reckless abandon and those who are afraid of their own shadow.
Concerning the reckless I don’t think they will change much. I have been called reckless by some because I have absolutely no fear of dying. I am a proponent of living life to the fullest extent, even if it involves taking some risks. With that said I don’t take risks that I consider foolish. My precautions for Covid are in the middle; however, if it were not for my wife’s poor health condition making her a prime candidate for serious problems, I would probably be a little bolder. I would at least go to restaurants and see some friends now and then. But it is simply too risky for her.
Concerning those who are suffering from fear, I suspect that many of them suffer extreme anxiety over an entire host of things aside from Covid such as a fear of flying, boating, scuba diving, snakes, lightning, etc. I may be wrong, but I believe that many such people do not have enough faith in God. I don’t fear death because I know what is on the other side of death which is heaven. I’m not trying to expedite it and want to serve God as long as He desires and would absolutely love to live long enough to see my grandkids grow up and spend time more with family. But make no mistake I’m ready.
The only thing I’m stressed over is boredom. I hate boredom with a passion. But this experience is once again teaching me patience and that it is the LORD and not me in control. And that is a good thing – God knows that I need more patience!
So today I welcome another boring day just like the months of boring days that preceded it. I told one buddy it reminds me of a half year long hurricane with no eye in the middle. I keep praying that God will directly intervene and end it, but without question He has His reasons for allowing it to continue and whatever that may be, I’m good with it and that gives me peace . . .
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!