{"id":6197,"date":"2020-03-18T18:55:06","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T22:55:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christskingdom.org\/staging\/8402\/?p=6197"},"modified":"2026-06-03T20:17:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T00:17:30","slug":"the-coronavirus-fear-and-panic-or-faith-and-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christskingdom.org\/staging\/8402\/the-coronavirus-fear-and-panic-or-faith-and-peace\/","title":{"rendered":"The Coronavirus – Fear and Panic, or Faith and Peace (160)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The Coronavirus - Fear and Panic, or Faith and Peace<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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By Steven J. Hogan<\/p>\n

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~ A Saturday Morning Post #160 ~

<\/em>Most of you have been following the Coronavirus crisis which has now affected more than 150 countries in the world. For many people, it has been extremely frightening to see this epidemic so quickly become a pandemic, to see more and more people getting sick and dying. Coupled with that, many are concerned, and rightly so, about their families, jobs, financial situation, and future. But as Christians, God doesn\u2019t want us to be afraid, to panic, but to have faith, to be trusting Him, knowing that He will give us all the grace and peace we need. For those of you who don’t know Christ, I encourage you to turn from sin and turn to Him, believing that He died to pay for your sins so you could be forgiven<\/a> and be given eternal life. “For Christ also died fir sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God.”<\/em> 1 Peter 3:18

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Because of the present distress, I have been studying faith and fear, and it\u2019s a big subject in the Bible. My purpose in these next two posts is to share some lessons I have learned about this. I have also written out a number of verses for your personal encouragement and study.

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Here are some lessons: <\/strong>
1. God does not want you to be afraid.<\/strong> God is your heavenly Father and knows it’s not good for you when you are afraid. He wants you to see that you are His child and that you are to go to Him when you are fearful. His desire is for you to be filled with His perfect peace, which is not a natural or human emotion, but a spiritual and godly experience. This peace is a fruit of the Spirit, what God freely and abundantly gives to you and every one of His children. Gal. 5:22, John 14:27 \u2013 \u201cPeace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.\u201d

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2. Everyone has fears, no person is immune from them. <\/strong>But for the Christian, God doesn\u2019t want us to try to resolve our fears in a fleshly or worldly way, but in the way He tells us in His Word. Yes, there are human ways of dealing with fears, but they do not solve the real problem. Without God, His Word, and the Holy Spirit, we cannot truly get rid of our fears, for only God has written out the right prescription for us. \u201cHe who abides in Me and I in Him, he bears much fruit. Apart from Me you can do nothing.\u201d<\/em> John 15:5

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3. What\u2019s ultimately important is fearing God. <\/strong>This is a major theme in the Bible, for if you are not fearing God, you will be fearing people and things. Fearing God means you are in awe of Him, that you revere and respect Him, that you know He is holy, all powerful, and sovereign. If you are seeing God for who He really is, and you know He loves you, then there is nothing and no one to be afraid of. When God is first and central in your life, then you won’t be an anxious, worried and a fearful person. Isaiah 8:12-13, Luke 12:4-5 \u2013 \u201cMy friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast you into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!\u201d

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4. God allows fearful situations to test you, to teach you to trust Him,<\/strong> to believe in Him, to be close to Him so you experience and are encouraged by His peace, comfort and power. John 14:1, 2 Cor. 1:3-11, James 1:2 \u2013 \u201cConsider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.\u201d
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5. This present Coronavirus pandemic is a test, a trial for you and all Christians.<\/strong> How are you doing during this crisis? Are you trusting God and depending on Him? God wants you to learn this lesson of not being afraid, but of trusting Him with your life, family, job, finances, and future. By His grace, might you not just pass this test, but ace it. Psalm 56:4, 1 Peter 1:6-7 \u2013 \u201cIn this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith\u2026 may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.\u201d

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6. God\u2019s love drives out all human fear.<\/strong> If you are afraid, worried, or scared, then you are not experiencing the love of God like you ought. You are like a little child who is crying and distressed because he cannot see His mother or father. And so, when you are afraid and feel alone and helpless, look to God, knowing that He is with you, and that He is gentle, loving and kind. Let Him hold you and help you, and then you will find peace. 1 John 4:18 \u2013 \u201cThere is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.\u201d

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7. God does not want you to be afraid like the unbelievers in the world,<\/strong> but instead to be at peace, and to be confident and courageous. Then you will be a light to the lost, a witness to the worriers, and seen as one who knows God the Father, and Jesus, His Son. Matt. 5:16, Acts 4:13 \u2013 \u201cAs they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.\u201d

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8. Now that we are in the end times, there will be more and more \u201cbirth pains.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>Plagues, (e.g. this Coronavirus) are but one of them, along with wars, earthquakes, famines, and financial problems (Matt. 24:4-8, Rev. 6:1-8). Now is the time, in this calm before the big storms, to learn this lesson of trusting Him, for these global calamities will continue to occur, and increasingly so, in these last years before Christ returns to rapture the church. I cannot help but believe that God is getting His people ready now for what lies ahead, when things become even more difficult, especially when there is great tribulation. Luke 21:11 – \u201cThere will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines.\u201d

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9. God tells us how to overcome fear.<\/strong> First, know that you are exceedingly valuable in God\u2019s eyes, that you are His precious child, and He doesn’t want you to be afraid. Second, trust God, believe in Him. And to trust Him, you need to know Him and His character of love, power, wisdom, goodness, sovereignty, etc. Third, seek Him, asking Him to take away your fears, and instead give you peace, the tranquil spirit of knowing that everything is all right, for your Father is much stronger and much smarter than everyone else, and He will let nothing hurt you. Matt. 10:31, Psalm 34:4, Phil. 4:6-7 \u2013 \u201cBe anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.\u201d

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10. Do not be afraid of the future,<\/strong> of tomorrow, next week, next year, of the unknown. God knows your future, has wisely planned out your future, and will carefully carry out His plans for you, leading you in the way you should go. You see, God has gone ahead of you, and will then go with you, and be with you every step of the way. Learn to take one day at a time and, like Enoch, walk with God. You need not fear the future, but be like the godly woman of whom it is said, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.”<\/em> Prov. 31:25, Gen. 6:22, Psalm 32:8, Matt. 6:34, Deut. 31:7-8 \u2013 \u201cBe strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land\u2026 The Lord is the One who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.\u201d

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Here are some verses about fear, faith, the future and the work and glory of God. <\/strong>
* Genesis 15:1 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cAfter these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, \u2018Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great.\u2019\u201d
* Exodus 14:13-14 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cDo not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today\u2026 the Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.\u201d
* Exodus 20:20 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cDo not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.\u201d
* Numbers 14:9 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cOnly do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.\u201d
* Deuteronomy 3:22 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cDo not fear them, for the Lord your God is fighting for you.\u201d

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* Deuteronomy 20:3 \u2013<\/strong> \u201cHear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic or tremble before them.\u201d
* Deuteronomy 31:7-8 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cBe strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land\u2026 The Lord is the One who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.\u201d
* Joshua 1:7-9 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cHave I not commanded you? Be strong and very courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.\u201d
* Judges 6:23-24 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cThe Lord said to Gideon, \u2018Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die. Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it the Lord is Peace.\u201d
* 2 Kings 6:15,16 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cBehold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said, \u2018Alas, my master! What shall we do?\u2019 So he answered, \u2018Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.\u2019\u201d

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* 2 Chronicles 20:3,17 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cJehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord\u2026 \u2018You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf\u2026 Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.\u2019\u201d
* Psalm 23:4 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cEven though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with Me.\u201d
* Psalm 27:1 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cThe Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?\u201d
* Psalm 34:4 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cI sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.\u201d
* Psalm 46:1-2, 10 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cGod is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea\u2026 Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.\u201d

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* Psalm 56:4 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cIn God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid… What can mere man do to me?\u201d
* Psalm 112:5-7 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cIt is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment. For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever. He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.\u201d
* Psalm 118:6 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cThe Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?
* Isaiah 8:12-13 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cYou are not to say, \u2018It is a conspiracy,\u2019 in regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, and you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the Lord whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread.\u201d
* Isaiah 26:3 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cThe steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.\u201d

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P.S. So many people are wondering what is happening with COVID-19, and we really need to know how it relates to prophecy and the end-times. If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to read my posts titled, “The Coronavirus, Plagues and the End-Times,”<\/a> and “When the Storms Come, Don’t be Afraid.” <\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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