Worry and panic are clawing into everyone’s psyche these days as COVID-19 creates scary headlines around the globe. But the novel coronavirus is not exactly the horrific bubonic plaque of the 1300s that killed an estimated 75 million to 100 million throughout Europe. Nope. Not even close. And it will not be.
Why? Because the planet continues to devise ever-expanding advances in epidemiology and disease prevention. Well, that is if everyday folks, like you and me, would cooperate and thoroughly wash our hands with soap and water and stop coughing and sneezing like a free-range rhinoceros without any respect for others around them. Science can only progress us so far, people; the rest is up to our common sense. But enough of my sanitation sermonette.
You know what I think could drastically maim and kill off mankind in the meantime? Fear. It is one of the most virulent pathogens known in history. Fear bulldozes its way into our lives. Uninvited. Unwilling to leave. Being afraid keeps us sidelined and imprisoned in puny thinking. Without buying a ticket, we have a front-row seat to Fear or Forward On. Whose team do you want to be on?
Author Max Lucado shares the following poignant thoughts on how courage and faith counter our angst, anxiety, and worry. I have shared Max’s insights before, but in light of our present health challenge, I hope he boosts you with courage and a fresh perspective. COVID-19 is going down, my friends. May it putter out long before our bravery and our common sense (see hygiene tips below).
The Big Bully
“Fear, it seems, has taken a hundred-year lease on the building next-door and set up shop. Oversize and rude, fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness. Happiness complies. Do you ever see the two together? Can one be happy and afraid at the same time? Clear thinking and afraid? Confident and afraid? Merciful and afraid? No. Fear is the big bully in the high school hallway: brash, loud, and unproductive. For all the noise fear makes and room it takes, fear does little good.
Walking Out on Fear
Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease . . . . never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry . . . . Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did that.
People who refused to consult or cower to their timidities did that. But fear itself? Fear herds us into a prison and slams the doors. Wouldn’t it be great to walk out?”
From Imagine Your Life Without Fear, Max Lucado, (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009), pp. 11–12.
Common Sense Tips to Stop COVID-19 Dead:
- Scrub your hands up to your wrists with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Yes, belt out the “Happy Birthday” song twice if that motivates you and helps you count.
- Sneeze and/or cough into a tissue and throw the soiled tissue in a lined trash can before washing your hands thoroughly.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unclean hands.
- See more disease prevention tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here.
71% of China’s virus patients have already recovered. 51% of the worldwide virus patients have already recovered. The most vulnerable 2% of patients- those with pre-existing conditions and the elderly have a survival rate of 80%. In America this season over 8,000 people have died of the flu and those facts don’t dominate the headlines but they are the truth. Covid 19 is a contagious disease but primarily a very treatable one. It is wise to take precautions not to contract and spread it but I’m not sure it merits filling your garage with toilet paper and freeze dried meals.
Candy, thank you for sharing these added facts. I am just amazed at how people are hyper-focusing on this one virus, when you are right, the flu takes more lives in our country. Perhaps it’s the idea that we don’t have a vaccination yet and some OTC treatment options readily available that is inciting panic. Sigh. I did just see some commemorative toilet paper roll earrings on someone’s Facebook page. I’m sure there are Purell ones too. Common sense on good hygiene should go a long way in slowing and stopping COVID-19 and all the other diseases we regularly face.
Perfect timing Beth. We are leaving tomorrow for a month in Arizona and I have been so anxious about traveling since I am a senior with a few health concerns. The stock market hasn’t helped my anxiety either! I will bolster myself with your very insightful words. Thank you, Thank you!❣️
Oh, Shar, bless you for sharing this. I know this is certainly a time of such uncertainty. I am confident that God has you in His tender care and you can hide under the shadow of His wings continually. He is with you. He is the Master Physician and the Chief Financial Officer of all our possessions. We are truly in good hands.
Thank you for your excellent, timely reminder.
You are so welcome, Greg.
Thanks ladies for the positive reinforcements which we always need to keep in mind. As the song goes, “Fear, he is a liar”.
Isn’t that song a great one, Lue? It’s going through my head right now. Definitely a lot of mistruths, deception and fears festering in our world these days.
Faith over fear for sure! Love this, Beth. Thank you!
You are welcome, Nancy. Faith over faith a practical way to move forward for sure.
So well put–as usual!! We need to continue to broadcast this thought far and wide!
Thank you, Carla. I had to consciously choose not to buy up things at the grocery store today. I chose not to buy into the panic and hoard mode. It is our choice not to let fear rule our hearts and minds.
As always, words of wisdom???? We have been saying the same thing about the flu killing more people! I honestly believe the media is trying to escalate things???? there is an election this November after all. ????????????????
Thank you, Petey. The flu has killed more people by far, but as I’m continuing to learn, this virus is so new and unknown. Because we don’t have a vaccine yet or any effective antiviral once people catch it, it brings on a new level of fear. But…I agree that some of the news has thrived on the escalation of anxiety and worst-case scenarios.
Beth, thank you for sharing this. I have clients I will see today, and I’m sure their angst will be a big part of what they come in with, about the COVID-19. I appreciate your words and I wished that the news people would highlight Candace’s words and stop being a source of egging on the anxiety of so many. Some people just have a difficult time of pulling them away for all the news-hype. We want to be responsible, which will alleviate much of the stress for many! I’m definitely going to recommend Max Lucado’s book to folks today.
Vickey, thank you for sharing your wise words. I know some individuals are more prone to anxiety and a glass half-empty perspective, so bless you for being one of the uplifter and filler-uppers in times like this. I have more to say on all this tomorrow in my next blog post. 🙂
Rhinos…courage and faith…not fear….as always…no bending….
You got it, girl. We don’t bend in our tenacity, but we do bend and flex with challenges. We are designed to bend when life dares us to break. Bend with resiliency not shatter under pressure. Make sense? It’s the theme of my new book. Can’t wait for you to read it!