Where to turn in a world of worry?

The world is full of a virus at the moment, it has affected everybody to some degree. It is contagious and can spread from person to person, its name is fear. 

Fear of the Corona virus or Covid-19.

Perhaps you haven’t panic-bought toilet paper yet, but if you're honest this is an incredibly anxious time to be alive.

Although you may be happy that your school or work has sent you home, the worries of not completing exams, falling behind with work and not getting paid are very real.

You may take comfort from the fact that if you catch Corona virus as a young fit person the worst you will get is a bad cold for a couple of days, but this doesn’t stop you worrying for the health of the elderly and vulnerable in your family and the wider community.

You might be enjoying time at home playing computer games and reading and yet it is hard not to feel the world is changing around us and may never be the same again.

Well, where do we turn when we feel anxious and worried? What can we rely on?

God’s word, the Bible is an incredible source of comfort.

In Philipians Ch 4v8 the apostle Paul tells fellow Christians to think on things which… “are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

With that in mind I want to share a few verses that give me immense comfort at this time:

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

You are important to God. Your heavenly Father takes account of the sparrows,

how much more is He concerned with you?

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go

Joshua 1:9

⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

Hebrews 13:5-6

Although we may feel like God has abandoned us at times, He promises to be with His people no matter the circumstances. What better time than now, to draw closer to Him?

 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

God is near to us and has given us the great resource of prayer.

Use it, talk to Him and receive the peace and calm that only God can give.

⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Remember above all God loves you. As great as your anxieties and worries are at this time, His care is far greater, His love is far stronger.

³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

And nothing can separate us from His love.

 “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,and God himself will be with them as their God. ⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”⁵ And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” 

Revelation 21:3-5

Ultimately this Corona crisis underlines that we live in a broken world, one that is groaning and needs to be fixed. Well, God is not finished with this world and one day He will make all things new.

³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:25-34

²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,^[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 

Practically we have to just take one day at a time. We have to consciously choose to trust in God’s promises and plans and to believe He is working all things for our good. There has never been a better opportunity to commit all your plans and desires to God. To leave them in His hands. To trust Him for all that is to come.