The Panic Apocalypse

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 

  

  It is the middle of the month of March in the year 2020 and I’m walking down the aisles of my local Walmart shopping center. The toilet paper aisle is a barren wasteland, not a single roll in sight. Indeed, most of the shelves are devastated, like the wet wipes area, and not a bit of hand soap available. The bottled water area was sparse, and it was that way through much of Walmart. 

  Stores in other cities across the United States were similarly devastated. What brought on this buying panic? The Covid-19 virus. To be sure it is a contagious bug. It has taken lives. Yet upwards of 80% of those affected by the Covid-19 virus have mild or no symptoms at all. Were there millions of cases of this virus spread across my country? Were people affected on every street and the hospitals packed with patients? No. In my home State of Ohio there are 16 cases mentioned during last night’s newscast. My State has a population of 11 million people. My small city has a population of about 20 thousand people. If all 16 of those infected people were in my small city it might be reason for some concern, but not spread among 11 million people. Perspective is lost when panic is incited. 

  I have no idea how bad the Covid-19 virus will become in my Nation, or State, or City. But I do know with so few cases as of this writing, there is not the slightest reason for panic buying and the fear that is so badly out of proportion to the facts on the ground. 

   

Surely the righteous will never be shaken; 

  they will be remembered forever.  

They will have no fear of bad news; 

  their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:6-7 

  

  We need wisdom and common sense in all things. People are looking to us, to Christians to see our reaction, especially in times of crisis. We have no reason to fear, for we shelter under the wings of our Lord (Psalm 91). He is our Defender and Protector. We need not fear plagues or diseases or anything else under the sun. We are people of faith, and we should lead the way with boldness in times of crisis, standing our ground with courage in times of fear and panic. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, we are surrounded by fear, bad news, and panicky people. Help us to remain strong, to stand courageously knowing we are protected by You. Thank You for being our Defender Lord Jesus. Amen.