The Coronavirus And Worry

HoHum:

Heard about the Coronavirus but unconcerned because that was over in China. Then heard that it went to other countries, Italy shut down along with much of Europe. Several cases in Washington State and by weeks end 4 cases confirmed at UC West Chester. Friday, President declared a state of emergency for the country over COVID- 19. Since I work in hospice among people who have compromised immune systems and usually elderly, by the way anyone over the age of 60 is the most vulnerable to this virus, had several meetings about this pandemic. Told that nursing facilities cracking down on guests and this might include hospice workers. On Thursday had several nursing homes take my temperature and ask me detailed questions about my whereabouts, whom I am have seen, what I do, and my health. Thankfully, had all my visits to nursing homes except one done by the end of Thursday. Friday morning I was told to call any place I go to schedule visits because of all of the restrictions. Called my remaining nursing home but no answer, left a voicemail but no return call. Only about 5 miles away so I went. Posted on the door were the guidelines and the current restrictions. Rang the doorbell, the administrator came to the door and told me that they are no longer accepting any outside personnel and that I should have called. Explained that I did call, the administrator apologized, and as I was leaving hung a sign that said no guests admitted because of the coronavirus.

WBTU:

Listened to a town hall meeting in my company, USMM, about the situation. They took calls at the end and in the questions could hear the fear and worry in many of my co workers. Sick days, what happens if I get the illness, what happens if I am in a home where they have coronavirus, how will this affect my family, my job, and my life. Many worries

We can be overwhelmed with all of these concerns. What is going to happen? Don’t know.

We need to be informed and do what is best but God does not want us to worry about anything.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6, NIV. Christian Standard says “Don’t worry about anything.” Nothing, nada, zip, zero. We can pray or panic. We can worry or worship.

Don’t worry- why? Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us 5 reasons why worry is worthless.

Thesis: 5 reasons God says we should never worry about anything from Matthew 6:25-34

For instances:

1. Worry is unreasonable.

Vs. 25- Why is worry illogical, irrational, unreasonable? 3 reasons why it is unreasonable

We worry about the wrong things. We worry about the little stuff that means nothing in a few years. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33, NIV.

We worry about things we cannot change. If we can change it, then change it. If we can’t change it, so what? Can’t do anything about it. Like this coronavirus, very few things we can change. We often worry about things beyond our control because we think that worry is actually a form of control. We think by worrying about something, we are actually controlling the situation. It doesn’t change anything to worry about things beyond our control.

When we worry about something it becomes bigger in our minds. Someone has said something that gets our goat and we keep worrying about this. In time, we think that person has some diabolical plan to ruin us, when in actuality, they did not mean anything by this and have forgotten about that comment. “The whole world is against me.”- no probably not even thinking about us.

2. Worry is unnatural

Human beings are the only beings in God’s universe that worry. Cows don’t worry. Horses don’t worry. My dog or cat does not worry. The only thing that has worry are humans.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26, NIV.- Birds never think, “Do I have enough to live on?” Birds are beautiful in appearance and in their songs. God says, “Look, the birds are not worried. Aren't you more valuable than the birds? I take care of them and I’ll take care of you.”

““And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28, 29, NIV.- Just an ordinary wildflower is magnificent. God says, “Look, they’re beautiful just the way they are. They don’t have to put on makeup. They don’t have to get fancy. They don’t have to worry about how they appear to everybody else. They’re not worried about their appliance. They’re just who they are and it’s beautiful.” Even Solomon with all of his money and resources did not look as beautiful as these simple flowers. Birds and buds do not worry because they trust in God. See God saying, “All of creation trusts my care except humans.” This just isn’t natural. Some people think, “Well, I was born a worrier and I’ll always be that way.” No, worry is learned. We learned it by watching other people worry. A baby does not worry unless it is worried because the parents or other adults are worried- learns worries from others. Anything that is learned can be unlearned.