For many of us, we are not concerned about what the corona virus will do to us as much as what the panic surrounding the corona virus will do to us. Panic in any herd of animals can be devastating but panic among humans is made worse by the fact that, while animals react instinctively, humans react by “thinking” and “reasoning” which is drastically skewed by their fear and irrationality. And then the toilet paper disappears. When no one within a 50 mile radius of us is sick we feel comforted by knowing that we have toilet paper. The Canaanites had Asherah poles to worship and ward off evil and we have stacks of toilet paper rolls to serve the same purpose. So what is a Christian to do in the face of such fear and irrationality?

1. Trust God

Psalm 56:3 – When I am afraid I will trust in You.

Romans 8:35-39 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Peter 5:6-11 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Isaiah 26:3 – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Psalm 94:19 – When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.

Psalm 91 (The Amplified Bible)

1. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].

1. 2. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
   3. For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
   4. [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.
   5. You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,
   6. Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
   7. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.
   8. Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.

2. Repeat Step 1

Trusting God won’t stop the craziness around us, but it will provide us with peace in the midst of the storm. And in that peace we can help those around us, meeting their needs as God has commanded us. (Titus 3:14) Of course, we must also do the things that we were taught as children concerning good nutrition and hygiene and health practices, but ultimately our lives rest in the hands of God and not our own hands – no matter how often or how well we wash them.