You might be wondering why I consider myself a higher risk. I have Rheumatoid Disease or commonly know as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) which means I have a confused and broken immune system. Everyday I wake up, my body attacks me and my body doesn't take a break at night either which can be the worst as when you're in pain, it's very hard to sleep. Here are some facts below as I don't want to make this too long and get you too involved in my personal health problems.
I understand and can sympathize with people panicking over this very contagious corona virus. When diagnosed, I too was extremely scared, but since I've had this disease for over 10 years, God has taught me that I can trust Him. You see, before this outbreak of corona virus hit, I have always been at a high risk of catching ANY virus, flu, or disease and dying from it. The last virus I caught literally took my breath away as I couldn't even talk without breathing heavy nor walk 10 feet without getting dizzy. So I do NOT want this corona virus or any other flu, virus or disease out there. Get this-- I can be around a healthy person that carries a disease and though that person is not sick, I can get sick from them as they pass it to me and my poor immune system!!!! So you never see me in public right? Wrong. I have learned to just try to keep my distance and go to places less traveled and practice good cleaning and washing hands etc. I'm not a neat freak (I work outside in dirt sweat etc) so most of all God had to teach me how to trust Him. As Job in the Bible said, and as I found myself saying when I was really sick with the last virus I had.....God, though you slay me, I will trust you! I'd rather be dead and yours, God, than alive and not yours.
So I take precautions and try to prepare the best I can for things, but I do not go into lockdown as the world is doing and ordering right now. I am actually very disappointed with many churches and Christians right now. I can't see the Apostle Paul accepting this lockdown right now. That's like me saying, I will never go to church or be around people again because I have RA and don't want to catch anything from anyone. Yet those of you who know me, know I go to church and other social events. I do not lock myself in constant quarantine. How am I to expect others to see my faith and trust in Jesus if I lock myself away from everyone and let my fears control me? How are we to be the hands and feet of Jesus if we are afraid to stand out for Him when our world needs to know Jesus more than ever right now!?
God says be in the world, but not of it. In other words don't go along with what the world is doing! Now, I understand that we are to be subject to our government according to the scriptures. However, there are times in the Bible where the government does not do what is pleasing to God and the believers go against it. Plenty of scriptural examples. Daniel thrown into the lions den after worshiping God when he was told not too. Paul being thrown in prison after being told not to preach about Jesus. Many, etc. To me closing the churches is a sign to everyone looking for truth and answers right now that even us Christians are scared and can be controlled by a virus. To me we are saying we don't trust God with our health and lives so how can we expect others to come to know Jesus through this pandemic if we our "tucking our faith tails." I realize if you are reading this far, you may be angry with me and saying....but the church is doing this to save lives!!! For the good of all mankind!!! To submit to our leaders!!
Mark 8:36--What good is it for someone to gain the whole world (good health included), yet forfeit their soul?
1 Peter 4: 12-19--Basically, saying don't be surprised with painful trials and suffering.....this is something Christians WILL experience. Commit yourself to your faithful creator and continue to do good
Luke 18:8-..............However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
I could give you more scriptural references but I'm trying to keep this blog short. So in short...;) I'm discouraged to see how little faith America has. I knew we were getting bad, but was hoping for more. Grocery stores out of stock because of panic buyers, people staying at home not lifting a helping hand to their neighbors, social media causing mass panic, churches switching to online services, people hording items to resell them at a huge profit at others expense, people dying in hospitals and nursing homes alone and without family because no one is allowed in to visit them, even animals being left on streets out of owners fear of catching the virus from their pet etc, etc! Resources have already stated that they will end up having to pick and choose which patient to save and which to let die as they are expecting mass patients who need ventalators, meds, etc.
Now more than ever do we need each other. We need to gather in prayer and support of each other.....even if that means meeting somewhere outside in small numbers 10 foot apart and pray and read scriptures and sing praises to our God. Right now there are Christians meeting each other in secret and if found out will die because their government will kill them for worshiping God. Yet, here in America........
No, I don't want to die, but if I'm going to die, I want to go down as having faith and trust in my dear Jesus. I want Jesus to say, Well, done, my good and FAITHFUL servant. I don't want to be isolated and let my fears engulf me....I want to keep spreading God's love and be bold till my last breath.
So what do we do, my fellow soldiers and followers of Jesus? We may have to get a bit more creative. There is a church in Florida who was doing drive in church. Loved that idea.. sitting on top of cars or in cars and away from each other they could at least see and hear each other praise the name of Jesus! And they were not breaking any governmental laws....we have so many strict rules, I'm not sure what we can do anymore. But how about meeting outside in a field with lots of space and praying or singing? How about setting up a question and answer forum on facebook with Christian counselors? Even Christians have plenty of questions right now as does those who are searching for answers and thought they could look to the church. How about calling each other and praying over the phone or sharing scriptures? How about posting signs on our church doors with numbers or websites people can call to learn about our dear Jesus who can give them peace and comfort during this time, but most of all save their souls from eternal death. I know I will be praying for more ideas on what I can be doing. I may blog more often or share some Horsing Around for Jesus videos with you at some point. And I continue to love my neighbor. Last night, I was riding by a neighbors house and he and his little boy and I like to talk/pet horses and my dog who I take riding with me occasionally. Anyway, they were so excited to show me their new chocolate lab puppy, I had to get off my horse and congratulate them and pet that cute puppy! That is what we need to do now too! We have JESUS'S LOVE to share!!! Death, where is thy victory? Grave, where is thy sting?!! Jesus has got me and he has you through life death and of course a virus!!! We can still be excited about sharing this news! It's good news, It's GREAT NEWS!!! No virus can keep us down forever if we are God's! Trust Him!
More good news is that we could be closer to Jesus coming back!!! I'm digging into that this week (end times) as I think it's an appropriate time to be alert and ready as Jesus states we should be.
Readers, if you read this whole thing and you'd like to talk or pray or email or use messenger on facebook, I'd be happy to share with you the love of God and how I know He truly loves us and how we do not need to be afraid even if we are at a high risk of dying from this virus or any virus or disease! (like me!)
If anything, you guys can now better understand and sympathize with us!!! that is people with auto-immune disorders or any poor immune health go through everyday. We wonder if we will get sick and how bad it will be.....will we live through this? Will we recover or will our body get even worse? Should I shake hands? Should I go to a social event and risk those germs? Is there a way to get less pain? How careful should I be? Should I risk my health and travel? Should I stay on this drug that suppresses my immune system? Do I have a future with all these problems? Am I living pleasing to you, God, with this health problem? How painful will my final days be?
I'm glad God has taught me how to better trust in Him as I am seeing from what's happening all around me what happens when we don't trust Him. I need God everyday and I can't imagine the panic I would be in without Him. He's still working on me. I have a lot of flaws... I do not claim to fully understand my Savior and His ways and no one can, but I do know He loves me.
I'm thankful to know our world is in the Saviors hands and so am I. I'm in the Saviors hands!
