No One Dies Early. Thoughts on Virus', Lockdowns, and Spiritual Health From A Pastor

 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, Hebrews 9:27

So in the last couple of days, it seems that everyone is once again blowing the alarm of 'we all might get COVID and die.'   So we have 'leadership' that is shutting everything down from schools, and businesses, to in-person worship.    Do we have a legitimate right to be afraid of what might happen?  I guess, but last year at this point when the cold and flu season was at its peak no one was demanding we lock the world down.  We took common-sense approaches to our health and if we were sick we stay home and everyone else lived their life.  Let's look at the data.  

CDC estimates* that, from October 1, 2019, through April 4, 2020, there have been:

39,000,000 – 56,000,000
flu illnesses

18,000,000 – 26,000,000
flu medical visits

410,000 – 740,000
flu hospitalizations

24,000 – 62,000
flu deaths

Now those are some seriously sobering numbers, right?    But here is the thing.  We were not having calls of closing everything down.  We had common sense that said 'if you're sick stay home and get well.'   Now, all of a sudden because a box with a talking head on it says we should be afraid we run in panic and abject fear.  We don't look at actual facts we run with and hold fast to what's shared the most on social media and on cable news.  

The facts are saying that around the same amount of people who got the flu last year are getting COV-19.  But 99.7% of the people who get this COVID-19 virus recovered and are just fine.    I have met and talked with a couple dozen people who have had covid-19 and I have asked them, 'How bad was it?'  And some say it was like having a cold.  Others have said it was like having a bad case of the flu. SO is it a serious virus?  Sure.  Just like the flu is serious. But is it bad enough to shut down an entire country?  I personally do not think so.  I think what needs to be done is people need to use common sense.  If you are sick stay home.  We know that if you take vitamin D and vitamin C as well as ZINC  you are less likely to get COVID-19 and will recover faster if you get the virus.   Locking down the country due to something like this is going to have a larger and more devastating effect on people than this virus ever will.

The enemy knows how to use fear to control people.  He's been doing this for thousands of years.  

The bottom line is we should not be cowering in fear of what might happen.  We as Christians should be smart enough to see the tricks of the devil, but sadly we're not.  We see/hear that it's bad and we jump on the doom and gloom bandwagon.  And as a result of doing that we really have not added any value to anyone's day.  

Christians have the best news in the world.  We have hope that is everlasting.  The truth is that we are all going to die at some point.  It might be COVID-19 that takes me out, but then again I might crash my car on the way to church.  Every human being has an appointment with death.  What we should be focusing on is are we right with God?  Don't be afraid of what might kill your body.  Be concerned about your eternal health.  Matthew 10:28 says And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 

If people took their spiritual health as seriously as they have been taking this virus we'd see revival in our country.  

It's been astonishing to watch, people be disciplined enough to do what our leaders have told them to do.  They have been continuous enough to obey the rules set forth by doctors and healthcare workers, but yet we ignore what the Bible and the Holy Spirit tells us to do in the matters of our spiritual health.  This needs to change.  

We have a promise from the Lord that we all have an appointment to see him.  And if you're in Christ you have an assurance that if we die we go straight to be with Jesus.   If you belong to Christ you should be living in boldness and confidence at what WILL happen, rather than what might happen.

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him 2 Corinthians 5:7-9.

Now more than ever the church needs not to close their doors, rather we need to be gathering, worshiping, singing, fellowshipping, and serving the sovereign KING of the universe.   I want to leave you with the following idea from Joshua 1: 9

 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Pastor Caleb Gordon