The Cared for, The Carefree, The Care Giver and The Careless

The Cared for, The Carefree, The Care Giver and the Careless

Photo Credit: RitaE/Pixabay 

As at today, the twentieth day of March in the year 2020, the world remains under a battering from the scourge of a coronavirus pandemic which would probably not leave the world the same way we'd always known it in our generation.

Though the mortality rate has been relatively low compared to some other diseases, the propensity of it being transmitted is higher and people can get infected as easily as possible if exposed to the virus. A high percentage of people too also recover, symptoms can be mild in many people and mortality is high among old people and people with underlying diseases in the more advanced nations where it's easier to have data.

The question is what should be  our response and how are we actually responding as believers to such a scourge at this time.

There are different possible mentalities we can have as people who believe in Christ Jesus and follow the Bible as the written word of God. We may have the Cared for mentality and attitude, we can have the Carefree attitude, we can have the Caregiver attitude, we can have the mentality of the Careless and we can combine two or more of these attitudes in response to the pandemic.

I will start from the Careless attitude. The scourge is already here in the world, people have been sick, recovered and many have died. Though we know so little about the virus that it was a big breakthrough to even discover how to test for it, and there are no vaccines yet to prevent it, the power against it in the physical is to prevent transmission. The truth is that the measures, if followed carefully and meticulously can prevent people from getting it. Social distancing and proper washing would work.

But the Careless attitude towards it may create a breach and freely release the virus to go haywire everywhere. The Careless mentality may remain in deliberate ignorance, such may take to some unfounded conspiracy theories that may lower one's guards, such may remain in denial, may refuse to obey public orders of taking precautions and the measures necessary to keep the virus at bay. The Careless attitude can be the most dangerous attitude.

It is possible for a believer to assume he or she is in faith whereas such is in presumptions or in foolishness. It isn't a time to be careless or lazy with one's faith. It is time to be meticulous with scriptural steps of faith and to be sure the physical measures are in place.

Proverbs 22

 3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself,

            But the naive go on, and are punished for it's. 

Panic isn't an answer but not also carelessness.

Then we have the Carefree. The Carefree attitude isn't same with carelessness. It is the attitude of being secure in the truth not to have fear, anxiety or panic. The Carefree is that person who knows that anxiety would not add a cubit to one's height, who knows it is an exercise in futility to worry which may even compound the problem. 

We have people panic buying things to stack up, not knowing when the situation will assuage, people running helter skelter and even dying for the fear of the virus, we hear that some in some countries are panic buying guns. 

Peace of mind is crucial. 'Fear not' is the word for the believer. We may go through the valley of the shadow of death, yet we should not fear because God is with us... We won't be careless but we won't also be afraid, we would not fret over anything, we have peace, we won't fret, we won't worry. 

Philippians 4:5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Then we have the Caregiver attitude. The one who would go beyond self to see to other's well-being in times like this. Those at the front lines, giving their lives to save others. Helping people spiritually, psychologically and physically to be able to remain normal and to recover. Those who think of the sick and those who have lost their loved ones. Those who grieve with the grieving, who helps the sick and those who would do everything to see that the vulnerable are protected from the trouble. 

We can suddenly become selfish, wanting to save ourselves alone. We can suddenly become insensitive to other people's struggles in the situation but we are called to bear one another's burden. The lockdown will be tough for a lot of homes and the believer should step up at this time to help people. The believer should have words and actions of love to help and to show love to people at this time. The believer should spread hope and affirmations at this time. Give to those who may not have, and don't put unnecessary burden on those who are lending their hands. We should walk in love.

Romans 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Then we have the mentality of the Cared for. The believer ought to go about with the assurance of God's covering and care. The boldness of having God to cast all our cares upon because He cares for us. We should have the mentality of the word and not of the world without hope. God cares about our health and well-being. He is our healer, our Healthcare provider. He is our inheritance, in Him we have all that we need. He is our shepherd. He is our Father who actually fathers us. Even the hairs on our heads are all numbered, He recognises each of the cells in our bodies one by one. He knows every need. And He has all the pre-knowledge of all that's happening. He wasn't caught unawares by any scourge or by any situation. He knows the ending from the beginning. He knows why and He can be trusted.

1Peter 5

7 Throw all your worry on him, because he cares for you.

We should rehears all of His promises of love. Think about His loving plans for you, think about His ability to bring those things to pass in spite of all the dangers around, think about the fact that He can never lie or be unfaithful. Let this be our mentality at this time to activate the power of God for times like this.

God bless and keep you in Jesus name.