The COVID-19 crisis has caused fear of an unprecedented magnitude of our lifetime. How do you calm your fears?

Psalm 23:1,4 says, “The LORD is MY shepherd. I shall not be in want! Even though I walk through the VALLEY of the shadow of DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL for YOU are with me!”

We will walk through this. The virus will inevitably peak and decline. It will pass. It will not last. Meanwhile, we should do all we can to reduce our risk and prevent infection by practicing good hygiene.

Since we will deal with inevitable economic consequences of this disruption, we need to replace fear with facts and faith. 2 COR. 1:7 “And our HOPE for you is FIRM, BECAUSE WE KNOW that just as you share in sufferings, you will also share in God’s comfort.”

What we know gives us courage in the crisis. The Bible emphasizes getting the facts. How do we reduce our fear?

• First — be discerning.

PROV. 14:15 (Mes) “The gullible believe anything they’re told but the prudent sift and weigh every word.”

Do not believe everything you hear. Not everyone on TV and radio knows what they’re talking about. Many have their own agenda for this crisis. Ignore those who use it for their own political advantage by making up baseless conspiracy theories, faultfinding and blaming. Others will use it for financial advantage by price gouging and selling fake remedies. Ignore them. Our government will make sure we know of a cure.

PROV. 13:16 (NIV) “The prudent man always acts out of knowledge.” Don’t act out of fear or false reports.

PROV. 18:13 (LB ) “It is folly — to decide before knowing the FACTS!”

PROV. 14:8. (LB) “The wise man looks ahead. The foolish person ... won’t face the FACTS.”

PROV. 23:23 (LB) “Get the FACTS at any price and hold on tightly to good sense.”

We need to be people of faith and facts. The facts are that not everyone is at equal risk. The facts are clear. Since this is a new virus there is no immunity to it or vaccine for it. The most vulnerable are those over 60 with preexisting conditions that weaken immunity like cancer, upper respiratory diseases, heart condition or diabetes.

• Second — rejoice because this too will pass.

2 COR. 4:17-18 “For our temporary and momentary troubles will not last. But they are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we focus not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Why is there illness? Sin and evil broke everything. Nothing works perfectly. ISA. 24:5,19 “The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted the instructions of God, violated his laws, and broken his covenant. Therefore ... the earth has broken down and has utterly collapsed. Everything is lost, abandoned, and confused.”

• Third — focus on God’s unchanging promises.

No matter what I go through, God will go through it with me. ISA. 43:2 “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you! When you pass through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned up; it will NOT consume you!” God is with you through every crisis. You are never alone. You may not always feel him. God is not a feeling. He is a real person whose voice you may hear when you read the Bible. Replace panic with praise and worry with worship.

• Fourth — be assured this is not the end of the story.

As a nation we have the opportunity to recover lost values. The foundational values that made our nation great. I pray much good comes out of our suffering. We know one day all our sickness, suffering and sorrow will end. REV. 21:4 “Then God will wipe every tear from their eyes. And there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will pass away.”

Hold onto the hope of heaven.

• Fifth — remember God wants to use you to serve others.

Every crisis is an opportunity to help others. Christians have always moved into the crisis when others moved out. During the black death in 251 AD, Christians cared for the sick whom others abandoned to die. Many died because they chose to care for the dying. Since Jesus cares about mind, body and soul, he calls us to respond in love.

Pastor’s Podium

The Pastor’s Podium column is offered each week by a different pastor or lay person representing an Ellsworth County church.

The week’s columnist is Dan Vallier, chaplain at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility’s Spiritual Life Center.