by Bruce K. Coleman, guest writer
There is good reason to be concerned and to take precautions because of the latest pandemic, the Coronavirus or COVID-19. It is currently wreaking havoc around the world. Should we be afraid? That depends on whom you ask and who you are. Make no mistake about it. The spirit of fear is real. As big and bad as this Coronavirus is; however, it is not as big or bad as the spirit of fear that goes unseen riding on top of the pandemic. After this present pestilence has passed, we can be sure there will be something else. When asked when He would return and what signs would signal the end of this age, our Lord Jesus Christ said this: “There will be wars, rumors of wars, famines, pestilence, and earthquakes.” These He said would only be the beginning of the end (see Matthew 24:6-8). But is the Christian’s fear of these things from God? No, no, no!
We can scarcely turn ourselves away from the 24-hour news feeds as we wait for the latest updates on COVID-19. These broadcast command our attention as they continually rehash the story over and over again from yet another perspective. Even if we do leave the television broadcasts, our social media feeds go with us. Now we are reading, sharing video clips, texting, talking, and thinking about it all day long. By not acknowledging our Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 4:1-5), these things serve the powers of darkness in this world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Fear has become its own pandemic. It has taken hold of most of the population of the world. Let this not be so, my brothers and sisters, concerning those of us who have been adopted as children of God through Christ Jesus.
The Holy Scriptures tell us: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV). The slavish fear spawned by COVID-19 is not from God, and God has provided us with His Word to keep us free of it (John 8:31-32). Saints throughout the ages have always raised the shield of faith in the face of the spirit of fear with Psalm 91. Here’s how you can do it too:
Pray the Prayer of Supplication
Pray Psalm 91 with supplication and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7). In James 4:2, we are plainly told that we have not because we do not ask God. Psalm 91 speaks of incredible blessings that God will bestow on those who love Him. Have you asked God for them? A prayer of supplication is asking God for what He has already promised to give us. For example, to pray verses 5 and 6 of Psalm 91 you may say something like: “O Lord, let me not fear any arrow that flies by day, nor any pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor any plague that destroys at midday.” Start with verse 1 and go through all of Psalm 91 verse by verse. Read the words and then turn each verse into a supplication to God for what it promises.
Pray Prayers of Thanksgiving
Mix a prayer of supplication with faith by believing that you have received it once you have asked for it (Mark 11:23-24), and this will naturally lead you into a prayer of thanksgiving. After having turned Psalm 91 into a prayer of supplication, it is easy to believe that God has granted our supplications because we know that God is forever faithful to perform His Word (Jeremiah 1:12).
Pray Prayers of Thanksgiving and Praise
Now go through Psalm 91 verse by verse again. This time turn each verse into a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord or a praise for His goodness towards us. If you pray Psalm 91 as directed here, fear will have to give way to faith.
Expect Fear to Resurface Again
With this present battle won, know that fear is likely to come at you again once enough time has passed and Psalm 91 is no longer foremost in your mind. Recognize the first enticements to fear again as a reminder to go back to Psalm 91 with verse by verse prayers of thanksgiving and praise. Repeat as often as necessary for the peace of God to be maintained in your soul (John 14:27).
Keep a Sound Mind
Have faith in God. Stay sound in mind as revealed in 2 Timothy 1:7
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
IITimothy 1:7KJV
A sound mind is a balanced mind. It avoids double-mindedness (wavering) on the one extreme (James 1:6-8) and foolish testing on the other. A doubting thought never leads to double-mindedness unless you entertain it and allow such thoughts to multiply and produce more doubting thoughts. Be quick to cast such thoughts down (2 Corinthians 10:5-6). While we wholeheartedly believe that God has and will continue to protect us and our family according to Psalm 91, we refuse to dishonor our God with our doubting thoughts and fears. We foolishly test our Lord Jesus just like His wilderness tests as outlined in Matthew 4:5-7. We would do well to pay close attention to this example.
So, we wear our mask, wash our hands, practice social distancing, and everything else the experts say we should do, as good stewards. Where this pandemic has come from and where it is going, we cannot be sure. But we know Him, in whom we believe (Psalm 62:11). And because we have been redeemed from the curse, WE REFUSE TO FEAR. (Psalm 107:1-2)
Bruce Coleman is a PhD candidate preparing for his dissertation defense. His research focus is Spiritual Leadership. He is a retired US Army soldier and currently lives in Southeast Asia (Thailand) with his wife. He is a daily reader of the Holy Bible and he believes the single most important thing for a Believer in this life is a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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