Spiritual Advice for the Coronavirus Crisis

Share the Good News!

By Tom Shanklin

Right now, life as we know it is being disrupted by the coronavirus global pandemic. In our state, all schools are closed, restaurants and other public places have been ordered to close, and many are being laid off from their jobs. The President of the United States has declared a national emergency and is saying that we should have no gatherings of over 10 people. Churches are broadcasting their services online rather than meeting in person, and there is great fear in the land. Similar things are happening all around the world.

We are receiving much advice from health officials, politicians, and the media about how to react to the coronavirus crisis. I will not add nor subtract from that, but I would like to offer some spiritual advice to help us all to stand our ground in these turbulent times.

Stay in the Word. “Your word [is] a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV) There is a temptation to have our eyes focused on all that is going on in the world, and neglect the Word of God. But it’s God’s Word that will give us the strength and stability we need. Only through faith in God’s Word can we overcome the spirit of fear that is pervasive in the land today. Now is the time to increase your time in God’s Word, not decrease it.
Draw near to God. “God [is] our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NKJV) He is not a God who is distant in the time of trouble, but it’s easy for us to pull away and focus on the circumstances. Remember, your life, your safety, and your preservation are in Him, and He is the strength of your life. Tuck yourself under the shadow of His wings, pray, and enjoy the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Remember the blood. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11 NKJV) As times of trouble increase before Jesus returns, it will become increasingly important for us to apply the blood of Jesus over our lives and families. We cannot survive the attacks of Satan in our own strength, but because of the blood of Jesus, we are made righteous and brought into a position of authority. Confess all sin and get it under the blood, and lay hold of the covenant that is yours through the blood of Jesus.
Keep working. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,” (Exodus 20:9 NKJV) It’s normal to work. If your working situation has been disrupted, find something else to do. It will help you to maintain a sense of normalcy. Sitting around and worrying will not benefit you, or anyone else. Get a plan and do something!
Keep ministering. “For God [is] not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, [in that] you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:10 NKJV) If you are a pastor or traveling minister and your meeings have been disrupted, find another way to minister. If you normally minister to people one-on-one and your circumstances have changed, find another way to bless and serve. Use the phone or the internet or some other means, but keep loving, keep caring, and keep reaching out.
Pray. “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,” (Luke 18:1 NKJV) When the circumstances are dire, it’s not time to lose heart. It’s time to pray. Remember, with God nothing is impossible. Continue to cry out to God for victory over this plague, and that many will turn to the Lord. Circumstances like these can help people to see that life on this earth is temporary and fleeting and that our only true security in the Lord.
Stay on task. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV) Even to the end of the age, the Lord is with us to help us fulfill the Great Commission. It’s not time to drop the ball, just when hearts are most open. It’s up to us to be stable, to hold fast to the Word of life, and to share it with a lost and dying world.

The Lord spoke to my heart today from this scripture: “Be still, and know that I [am] God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 NKJV) Ultimately, we have the victory, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will be exalted in the earth. Jesus is the answer that the world desperately needs today. In Him, we have peace. In Him, we have victory!

Susan and I are praying regularly and profusely for you. May God comfort you, strengthen you, heal you, and enable you to be a blessing to many people during this hour. We love you with His love!