Managing Worry fit to Covid-19

The three waves of Covid-19 have brought a lot of worry to the world. With much fear, the world’s citizenry wonders how many more waves are still to come, and to what magnitude will their depredation be?

 

Just when the medical fraternity was about to get its grip around the first wave, the second wave docked the shore like the Tsunami. The fight heightened with much research which led to the birth of the vaccine. Unfortunately, no sooner had the vaccine begun its circulation, than the third wave, dubbed Covid-Delta-Virus, mirages at the horizon more venomous.

 

Like a viper, the covid-19 third wave left India, and South Africa exasperated. From a distance we watch our friends die like insects. Although we were sorry for them, we underestimated its ability to cross the borders. But it finally made its way to Zambia and has now plundered us like a slasher through twigs. We too are now dying and it is worrisome. The hospitals, the mortuaries, and the cemeteries are filled to near capacity. Death from covid-19 has not only become a headline but the stench of our community- physically and virtually.

 

Friends, covid-19 is so real and extremely bigger than all of us put together. Even the conspiracy theorists and prophets have vanished, and are now numbered among its victims. Our government is worried as there are no resources and infrastructure enough to meet the health demands. Families are worried as there is very little that is being achieved within the home. Even the most treasured unconventional medications and treatments are failing. And not forgetting, the already vaccinated are worried too, as the possibility of infection has not been absconded. Everybody is worried!

 

But before we are expended by worry and lose hope and think we have lost the fight, there is one who is our refuge, strength, and fortress; a very present help in times of trouble. God, the Lord Jesus! For even behind this frowning providence called covid-19 He smiles. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. In his famous sermon on the mount (Matt 5-7), the Lord Jesus comforted his hearers by admonishing them from walking around with worried faces. He said “…do not worry about your life…(Matt 6:25)” why? Because worry simply consumes the soul, drains the heart’s peace and joy, and suffocates the mind with the fear for tomorrow. Worry can never add a single hour to one’s span of life (Matt 6:27).

 

Therefore, though evil, devastating, and wrecking covid-19 can and has been to our world, believers in the Lord Jesus must not worry. While we are encircled not only with fear but sickness and death itself, our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Word, has lovingly admonished us to have faith in him. Observe below three elements of our Lord’s comfort:

 

First, God is still on the throne and in control. Our covid-19 situation has by no means caught Him unaware. We may neither like it nor comprehend it, truth be told, covid-19 is working for God’s glory. As painful thought as that may be, especially if you have experienced the death of a loved one, it is still within what God is doing. He says “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10).

 

Second, God has promised that He will take care of all our tomorrow. Worry can do nothing about tomorrow. The Lord Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things... (Matt 6:34)”. Consequently, he who brought us forth today, will carry and care for us in the tomorrow. Is this an invitation to careless living? No! it is an encouragement to Look to the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. As He was our God on the mountain, he is still our God and defender even in the valley. In both good times and hard times, He is still God!

 

And last, if we turn to Him in prayer, God has promised us his peace to guard our hearts and minds. In Phil 4:6-7 Paul wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus). He is not saying he will take away the situation (Which of course God is able if he chooses to), rather he will make us endure the situation with peace and a sound mind. While illness and death are in the air, we can smile at the storm.

 

As with everybody, I too feel the pain covid-19 has brought to our world and lives. It has robbed us of our loved ones, our harmony, our fellowship, our mental tranquility, and many other things. This worries the heart. But why worry, when worry itself can do nothing but increase our torment? Instead, let us turn to the Lord Jesus. Though covid-19 and its embezzle will be with us for some time, The Lord Jesus and the comfort of his word and presence is all we need. Thus, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, I encourage you not to worry.

The Good Work of Pursuing Spiritual Progress

Today, 14th June 2021, is quite an appropriate day to determine that you have come to the end of the first half of the year 2021. Praise the Lord! Thus far the Lord has brought you.

Fifteen days from today, we commence the second half of the year 2021. I am neither a prophet nor a son of a prophet, but from the look of things and as the Scriptures do admonish us about the last days, anticipate many challenges. Greater still, trust the Lord to see you through.

Therefore, before 1st July 2021 dawns, begin today taking stock of your spiritual progress in the last six months. Re-visit how you have run your race and fought your spiritual fight so far. Immense yourself in a time of introspection and perceive where you may have succeeded, failed, or can do better.
Thereafter, plan on how to engage your soul for spiritual progress in the next coming six months of 2021.

Since this may not have been the area of your thinking, I presume, let me entice you to entertain some very personal thought intriguing questions below:

*1.* In the last six months, have I been consistent with my time prayer and  in God's  word?

*2.* How much of the Bible have I read so far and how many verses have I  memorized?

*3.* How much Christian material have I read so far?

*4.* In the last six months, is there one book in the Bible or from other Christian letersture that I have completed and learned a lesson or two for my life?

*5.* Have I taken interest to tell someone about Christ, and followed them up until I am either rejected or they eventually turned to Christ; have I been evangelizing?

*6.* Did I identify one young in the Lord and take them on as my disciple; have I been discipling?

*7.* How many of my gifts has the church family been blessed with; have I been serving?

*8.* Do I still feel spiritually fresh or perhaps I have grown dry and cold; do the things of God still excite me?

*9.* Now that the digital world is defining life today, therefore as an add-on, and at the same time, as a means to protect my mind from galavanting the internet, which Christians Sites, Blogs, YouTubers, and Social groups have I followed, read, listened to and been part of for my spiritual wellbeing; have I just been social-media gossiping and tale-bearing?

*10.* Now that the third wave of covid19 is here, how can I still grow and serve the Lord and others without compromise, fear, or excuse; am I just happy that isolation and lockdown will fuel my spiritual laziness?

Take time to go through the above questions once more. In case you have struggled with most of the questions and you feel your spiritual progress has not been good, but you desire to make progress in the next six months, please reach out to your church elders, or any brethren you look up to for your spiritual guidance.

For now, while you are contemplating on whom to contact, here are a few things you can start doing:

*1.* Pick one book of the Bible per month to read. In case you don't know where to start from, I have started reading the book of Luke for this month. It is a great place you can also start from.

*2.* Identifying that quiet and unique time and place from whence you can isolate yourself with God to read and pray.

*3.* Get a small notebook where you can write your memory verses, prayer points, and lessons from your Bible/book reading and sermons.

*4.* Find a Christian friend that you can develop a spiritual relationship of reading a book, Bible, and praying together.

*5.* Identify one Christian book to read every two months. By the end of the year, you would have read three books.

*6.* Lastly, if listening to Sunday sermons is not enough for your soul and you would like to listen to more sermons, subscribe to sermonaudio.com. It is free and there are thousands of sermons posted there every week. Please contact me for guidance on who to listen to if that is difficult for you to determine.

Remember, in this epoch of world history we are in, we may not have the luxury of physical communion like we did before when we could easily spur one another. Hence, and first and foremost, your effort to pursue spiritual progress by nourishing your soul is anticipated like never before.

If we are to remain fervent for the Lord and keep his church growing, glowing, and going, we must begin with our hearts before we can touch and spur another's heart.

Be encouraged brethren to keep up the good work of pursuing spiritual progress.
Wasn't it the writer to Hebrews who said:  _" Therefore by Him[Christ] let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."_
(Heb 13:15-16).