“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” – Psalm 46:1-2
Has it felt like the mountains were crumbling recently, as noted in the scripture above? The coronavirus pandemic has struck fear in our hearts, especially if you watch a lot of news.
Initially, we were told that millions would die. Suddenly, all the grocery stores were out of toilet paper. None of it made sense to me. Then I became a little paranoid, wondering if staying calm and going about my normal routine was naive. Should I be stocking up on basic needs as well?
At the grocery store, every kind of germ-killing product was already out the door. I felt like I had failed to believe our ship had struck an iceberg, and I was watching everyone row away in the Titanic lifeboats with their arms full of Lysol and hand sanitizer.
I grabbed my normal groceries and got in line. The guy in front of me started coughing. I immediately went over to the longest checkout line in the store and didn’t mind at all. While visiting family, I would touch a doorknob, then spray it down with old disinfectant from under the kitchen sink. Should I wash the disinfectant bottle before putting it back? First, I have to wash my hands again for the third time since walking in the door, ten minutes ago. We all want to avoid this virus, and we especially don’t want to give it to our loved ones.
However, I’ve taken comfort in reading a Facebook blog from a former coworker and friend, Ana, who now lives with her family in Spain, which has been ravaged by this virus. She has the same worries that we do, but she is actively being positive. Every night at 8 o’clock, Ana and her family go to their bedroom window and clap for all the nurses and doctors. “Even though I am here in Spain, I am clapping for all health workers in the world,” she wrote. “Your strength and determination are what’s going to save lives, while putting yours at risk. Stay strong.”
She’s right. We can love our neighbor with reassuring words, but we can also take action during this time. Clap for our heroes, run errands for those who are sick, deliver food for those who can’t leave their home. And of course, wash our hands.
I’ve been focusing too much on the mountains crumbling. It’s Psalm 46:1 that I need to remember. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” God is always with us. We’re going to get through this.
Ed Doney, Staff Writer
