Stopping the Panic: How Faith, Common Sense, and Personal Responsibility Helps During Medical Emergency

Panic has hit America like a cat five hurricane. Panic is the result of fear. Fear comes out of nowhere. It has a source. Something's not right. The media pumping of fear seems nonstop. Here is a sample of media headlines taken from the Drudge Report. 

• Life in San Francisco screeches to halt amid shutdown...
• 'This is our generation's great test'...
• Despite dire warnings, some refuse to give up their routines...
• New Yorkers Hit Their Favorite Restaurants One Last Time...
• American tempers fray...
• Kid Rock's Nashville Bar Refuses To Close, Calls Mandate 'Unconstitutional'...
• CASINOS WANT BAILOUT!
• Parents Battle 'Overwhelming Anxiety' With Longterm School Closures...
• Airlines slash almost all flights...
• More Cruise Ships Stuck at Sea...
• Banks Pressured as Clients Scramble for Cash...
• Gun sales surging...
• EU CONSIDERS BAN ON VISITORS...
• CANADA CLOSES BORDER... 

It doesn't make sense to panic when the number of Coronavirus-19 deaths (at the writing of this article, March 16, 2020) is 86 in a population of over 330 million people. So where is this panic coming from? 

The Bible declares that faith cometh by hearing. In like manner, faith for fear also comes by hearing. Trying to keep people balanced and thinking straight is a challenge. Visiting our local grocery store showed wiped out shelves. Toilet paper was the first thing that went, next was hand sanitizer, disinfectants, and water. The next day all, I mean all, of the fresh meats were gone. That view of barren food shelves validated the speed of fear and panic among many that swept across our country.   

As already said, something is not right. A bad flu season can end up with over 80,000 infected and 18,000 dead, yet the Coronavirus-19 death right now is under 100. Will it go up, and fast? Yes, but stay away from panic-driven decisions.   

Panic is not from God. Scripture declares, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). Nevertheless, fear is turning into panic. This needs to stop. Panic is destroying businesses. Businesses provide jobs. Jobs give us the ability to create wealth and pay our bills.   

Companies are closing with large events being canceled. The CDC has recommended banning gatherings with fifty or more people for eight weeks. (Except, of course, voting here in Florida.) Now they are talking about closing restaurants. Just think of the income loss for thousands of cooks and servers. By the time this is over, our lives may be far more damaged by the failure of companies than the Coronavirus-19. 

The panic needs to stop right now. 

Back in 2009, the Swine Flu hit. President Obama declared a National Emergency after 4,000 Americans died. The CDC said that 59 million Americans came down with the disease and over 12,000 died. So right now the death toll from Coronavirus stands at 86. Yes, it's going to rise but let's remember the numbers don't justify panic but sound reason and common sense. The Bible says that wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times (Isaiah 33:6). Don't fall for the media's clickbait headlines built on fear. Slow down and pray. Use your spiritual authority to bind and loose. Pray for your family, nation, leadership, and your workplace. Let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you into truth.   

Remember, governments love times of crises. They use fear to get people to give up their freedom for promises that the government will take care of them. Just look at what happened after 9/11 with the Patriot Act. The sad fact is a lot of damage has already been caused and the black swan of economic failure is flying across America.  It's time to get back to common sense, faith toward God, and personal responsibility.  

This is a great time for Christians to be salt, light, and a city set on a hill. God says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). So then, pray, use common sense, and don't tap into the spirit of fear. We will make it through this crisis.

Your partner, 

© Apostle Jonas Clark
www.jonasclark.com