Facing Fear During the Pandemic

It was only the third day of the Metro Manila lockdown. By then, I was already caught between “trying to keep it together” and giving in to my anxieties.

I had so many plans this summer. I had a well-planned routine, an organized schedule, a stable job. Thanks to COVID-19, all of this was put to a halt. I became fearful of losing stability and normalcy.

Seeing deserted streets and closed stores was like living in the first chapters of a dystopian movie. There’s a looming sense of dread. I found myself paranoid over the possibilities of anarchy and chaos. People wore masks like armor, fearful of the virus—fearful of dying.

I may not have caught the virus, but I think I caught the fear instead.

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By some divine coincidence, my devotions on that day were about fear.

I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

Apparently, fear isn’t just the opposite of faith. It’s a form of faith—it’s faith in negative possibilities. It’s a belief in the possibility that the Father God might not protect or provide. It’s a statement that He probably doesn’t care anymore or that He’s not greater than our circumstances. Fear is a very real type of perspective that somehow stems from a lie within our hearts.

But because we’re human, it’s normal to be afraid. To look up beyond our situations is so un-human-like that it takes supernatural grace to do so.

And this is where God’s grace enables us to do just that:

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91: 4)

The words HIS FAITHFULNESS jumped at me like headlights. Faithfulness means reliability. It means consistency. It’s commitment. It says a lot about God’s character.

It’s not just trusting in what He says He’ll do. It’s also trusting in who He is. God is basically promising that we can trust Him because His character is worthy of our trust. He’s faithful. While everything is shaking, He is the rampart that will not fail.

Source: Geo Fun

I sobbed like a child after watching that video of the mommy bird. She kept her dainty wings outstretched over her fragile eggs. Despite her little frame, she stood her ground. She came up against a monstrous machine that could’ve crushed her in a second. Nothing could move her from protecting her children.

The Holy Spirit nudged my heart: If a small animal like that can be so mindful of its children, how can I not be mindful of you?

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The world is still reeling from the pandemic, but this dire season has been a grand opportunity to reconnect with God and to find His light in the midst of it. Suddenly, the world and its troubles are smaller, knowing that there’s a Father God who is mindful of those who place their trust in Him.

Because of Him, we don’t have to wallow in our fears. The Father God still stands above our fears and spreads His wings to cover us. We can find our courage in His faithfulness.

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Have you ever wanted peace like this? It’s a hard truth, but we can never really find peace in this world. God’s Word doesn’t promise that we won’t go through troubles. Our true peace can only come from Jesus. If you want to make Him your shelter and experience having Him cover you with His feathers, then you can pray this with your heart.

Lord, thank you for being present in our circumstances. While the world is reeling from the pandemic, I admit that I am afraid. Please save me from my fears. You say that You’re Faithful. I humbly ask that You help me see how trustworthy You are. Please increase my faith in You. Forgive me for whatever mistakes I’ve made. I trust that You are also the God who can save me. Be my Savior and Lord. Fill me with Your peace in this season and beyond. In Jesus’ name, Amen