Do not Fear only Believe

A global virus killing thousands. A 21-day lockdown across India. Things I never ever could have imagined seeing, forget living through. My WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram feeds are all filled with messages about COVID 19 and nothing else. The Chief Minister of my state has mentioned that if the quarantine is not obeyed, then shoot at sight orders might need to be issued. It’s scary and unreal.

Living in India, I had become used to a certain degree of risk and instability. I used to laugh at friends from different countries who would quake with fear at driving through our traffic. I would laugh at friends who wouldn’t eat from road side stalls, but what is happening now, is sparking fear in everyone on a whole different level.

Fear can be an overwhelming emotion. Sometimes, it’s a sudden cold wave of dread that passes over us, paralyzes us and blocks out all rational thought for a few moments at least. Like the time when I found my teenage brother sitting on the very edge of our terrace wall, 5 floors up. An inch and a few seconds lay between life and death. I was immobilized for a few seconds, before I gathered my wits and yelled at him to get off carefully. Sometimes, it’s a low-lying emotion deep in our hearts, that controls our decisions, our words and our actions for days or months. Like when I was 3 months pregnant, I was advised by the doctor to stay on bed rest because of a clot in my womb that science could do nothing about. It was solely up to God if my baby would have to be born safely. Every day, every night, I experienced fear for my unborn baby, checking myself often to see if I could feel him move inside me, till finally months later, my beautiful son was born. The one thing that kept me going through those months of fear, was my belief, that God is good, that He loves me, and that He is in control. When the fear became too much, I would keep repeating Mark 5:36 to myself ‘Do not fear, only believe’.  The God who said these words to Jairus was the same God I believed in.

Having lived through those times of fear, when trust in God was the only support I had, I’m better able to handle things now. I’m convinced that in this world where everything changes, He alone is an unchanging God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is still good; He still loves me; and He is still in control. As He has promised so many times in His Word, He is with us, He will never leave us nor forsake us.

So, let’s believe that God will take care of us and that we will overcome this situation. That there will come a day, when Corona will be a thing of the past, like small pox and so many other plagues before this.

Let’s believe that God will heed our prayers and give the government wisdom to take control of the situation. That as we obey the government and do all that we have been asked to do, the loss of life will be minimized and we will be safe.

Let’s believe as we look at our stocked-up supplies, that God is in control. Let’s be wise in planning our meals so we minimize wastage, but let’s do so knowing that the God who fed over 5000 people with a  few loaves of bread and fish is able to feed us too.

Let’s believe as we juggle our work, manage our children and finish our household chores without help or support, that God will strengthen us and refresh us.

Let’s believe that every morning, His compassion and His great faithfulness will be revealed to us. That this time of staying at home will be a wonderful opportunity for our families to come together and bond, for relationships to heal, and flourish.

Let’s believe that this time of fear and instability can actually draw us closer to our creator, and can reveal His goodness and faithfulness to us.

Let’s believe that as it is written, ‘all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose’ (Romans 8:28).

Let us not fear, only believe.

– Jasmine David