It’s hard not to panic with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading across the globe at an alarming rate. Responsive measures are in process here in the U.S. As more cases manifest, universities (like UVA and William & Mary yesterday) are opting for students to go home and finish their semesters online. Conferences and sporting events have been cancelled. It’s hard to find disinfectant wipes anywhere in stores. Whole shelves of supplies are completely empty.
Like I said, it would be easy right now to panic. But, here’s the thing about Lent, about our faith. No matter what scary thing looms on our horizon (or continues scaring us from the past), God is with us – always. God’s grace will help us deal with whatever may come, and whatever we’ve come through.
So, there’s no reason to panic. Just ‘sayin, one more time:
DON’T PANIC!!
grace, peace & panic-free zones
Virginia : )
“When we are feeling sad, when it feels like everything is going wrong, we should remember: God loves me. God never abandons me.” Pope Francis
Roses in the Rubble 
very true.. thank you Virginia
Brigette, I have this pillow where I see it every day. A good reminder to pray (& not panic!) Hugs! 🌟🙏🌟🤗🌟
Hi Virginia! 🙂 My name is Oscar. I have been following your blog for quite some time. And I respect all people of all different kinds of religions. I remember a nice and wise quote however, from a book I really like: “God helps those who help themselves”. I do believe that. What I am referring to right now, is both the US and my home country Sweden. Right now our Governments (who should act on behalf of us) aren’t doing nearly enough. This is good article in The Guardian today, by two renowned US Medical Doctors: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/12/us-cities-wuhan-coronavirus-covid-19 I hope our Governments will rise to the challenge, and act more decisively. Stay safe.
Thank you, Oscar, for the link. Now our country, states, cities, counties, universities, schools, sports teams, and countless businesses have responded with overwhelming cancellations and closures to slow the spread of COVID-19 here. Hopefully it’s not too late to turn the tide before escalating fatalities. Today we had the 1st COVID-19 related death in James City County where I live (the 1st in our state of Virginia) with 10 confirmed cases (also the most in any county in our state.) We are a small town!
I hope Sweden is able to stop the spread. Blessings & prayers!! 🌟🙏🌟
I very much hope so, that it is not too late. It is great that so many organizations seem to be taking it seriously in the US too, just unfortunate that the central government isn’t acting as much. Still, I hope America gets through this with minimal human cost! And Sweden. The whole situation seems a bit unreal, but panic never helps.
You are so right, Oscar. Panicking doesn’t help anything and it feels like we are in the middle of a dystopian science fiction novel. Please stay safe!
Weekend blessings!!
Hope that you will be safe, Nora (& don’t forget to wash your hands!!) 🧼🤗🧼
Actually, Virginia, I have another comment that I also posted on another website. It’s a philosophical one that I suspect you might appreciate:
This is very true. I’m not seeing anyone writing about one part of the situation, though. What responsibility do believers have to non-believers in a time like this?
It feels to me that we need to pray, share hope AND do what we can to prevent the healthcare system from being swamped. Yes, we love God and God loves us. What a blessing. But, we’re also supposed to love others as we love ourselves. This latter love may include willingly and cheerfully limiting or changing some of our activities.
I so agree with you, Nora! Where I live in James City County there are already 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (the most in Virginia to date) and today a man died here from coronavirus related respiratory distress (the 1st death in our state.) Our county declared a state of emergency Friday due to this public health crisis. Most churches are streaming Sunday services – most, not all – which I think shows reckless disregard for life & the severity of this crisis on the part of churches still meeting. Jesus calls us to love the vulnerable among us, not share deathly coronaviruses with them!!
Prayers & love (I am praying that the leadership of my church will get with the program of saving lives. The email sent out Friday from our bishop made me so ticked! grrrrrrr!) 😱😡😱
Addendum: (very) early Sunday morning our bishop suspended all services at our church in coordination with local municipal councils. We have one of the largest churches in Williamsburg – our sanctuary holds 1,200 and there are 5 Sunday services – so this was a big deal. Now he has stopped all services throughout our diocese that extends from Va. Beach to Richmond & beyond.
Yes, there is a difference between panic and well-reasoned concern.
There is a big difference when our concern comes from a place of God’s love and the value of all lives, i.e. acting with concern for the most vulnerable among us. Blessings, Kenneth. 🌟💜🌟
It’s hard not to panic since it’s the only thing the news wants to talk about. I stopped watching and reading anything it. It’s all in God’s hands. All I can do is pray.
Michelle, lots (& lots) of prayer helps keep our panic buttons in check. I also have this pillow where I see it every day as a physical reminder to pray (vs. panic!) 🙏👀🙏
Good advice, Virginia. Stay safe and healthy … and keep praying!!
You stay safe, too, Debbie! (And don’t forget to wash your hands…) 🧼🤗🧼
I found you blog after writing a similar one. I really enjoyed and appreciated what you had to say. Thank you for writing! 🙂 In case you are curious, here is a link to my blog: https://katiesencouragementforyou.home.blog/2020/03/13/there-is-no-reason-to-panic-is-there/
Katie, just read your blog. I don’t know what’s up with stockpiling toilet paper, but I agree this is a time to pray, not to panic! Blessings & prayers! 🙏🤗🙏
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog 🙂 Blessings and prayers to you as well!! 🙂
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Amen! ❤ If God is with us..no need to panic! Fear not! Only believe!
Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 27:1 &4, and Joshua 1:9 have been favorite verses of mine for eons. Still so very relevant! Hugs, Patty! 🙂
This is exactly what I need right now 😭😭😭
Not panicking is not easy with so much going on – here’s to creative reminders not to panic! 🧼🤗🧼