I hear coughing and sneezing from down the hall. Sitting up, I listen until it finally stops. Then I hunker down in my chair as if trying to make myself inconspicuous will keep me from the germs that are floating around and landing on doorknobs and desks and computers and keyboards. Work is a scary place right now. Everyone is in such a panic. People get tense about the weirdest things. Living in an area where we are prepping for or running from hurricanes, toilet paper is not a thing that is typically a source of worry. (I had to go to four different stores to buy toilet paper for my family on the way home from work yesterday.)
What am I talking about?
I’m speaking of the Coronavirus. I don’t mean to make light of the situation. I’ve actually read on the CDC website what’s happening with this virus. I also read some interesting information about it released by Johns Hopkins Medicine. It’s interesting to note that, at this time, there have been approximately 128,000 cases worldwide of the Coronavirus since it emerged in China in December of 2019. About one billion cases of Flu are reported worldwide per year. Usually, we acknowledge this information and then go on about our lives. However, you don’t see people depleting the stores of toilet paper because of a Flu outbreak.
It’s funny what causes us to panic when it comes to life. I was more panicked about the accident that my daughter was in a week ago. Praise God, she and all others walked away from it unscathed! It was serious; airbags deployed, the car spun out and then hit another vehicle. Sunday night could have ended so much worse than a totaled car and bruises. I guess it all comes down to what you consider the more immediate danger.
I know that illness can change a person’s life forever or bring it to a tragic end. The question is, how do you plan to live your life—paralyzed with fear—or trust and common sense. Some people want you to share their alarm and misery, but as Believers, we can trust that the Lord is in control, and what is going to happen will happen. You may call that “fatalism.” I call it faith. And because of my faith, I can live my days, not in denial but peace; and, a little common sense goes a long way.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
In the meantime, WASH YOU HANDS! God bless and keep you all!
Great advice! Great attitude!