With the seemingly unstoppable rise of Coronavirus disease or COVID-19, how should you and I respond? What should be our attitude? Most importantly, how should we react in the midst of fear and panic we are seeing around us? In this post, let us take a look at what the Bible says and how Christians should respond.

The coronavirus disease or COVID-19 has now infected more than 100,000 people in over 100 countries. Its death toll is now in the thousands.

With all the concerted effort to contain the virus, it seems that nothing can stop its spread.

So, should we worry?

Should we stop going to work?

Should we lock down every city?

Should we suspend classes? Government services? Cancel travel plans? Just stay at home?

As Christians, we are expected to respond differently from the world.

But how exactly should we respond?

In this post, let me share with you at least 5 of the best ways we can respond to the threat of the coronavirus disease.

1. Do not worry

The worst thing you can do is to worry about the coronavirus and cause hysteria or panic.

I love this quote that I have read many years ago:

“Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”

Tweet

That’s definitely true!

You see, worry does not accomplish anything aside from making you weak, nervous, and negative.

It has been said that 90 percent of the things we worry don’t happen and the other 10% is something that is beyond our control.

So, why worry?

It doesn’t do you any good, but it can be harmful to you.

Worrying won’t change anything.

It can’t definitely destroy the coronavirus.

Yahshua or Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 6:25-27:

Therefore I say to you, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on (and may I add, about the coronavirus)… Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature (or eliminate coronavirus from the face of the planet)? So why do you worry?

Let me repeat that, “So why do you worry?”

Christ even told us that if God takes care of the birds of the air, then how much more will He take care of us, His children?

Tweet

So, instead of worrying, what should we do?

This leads us to our next point.

2. Pray

Did you know that it takes the same amount of effort to worry and to pray? Worrying leads to panic and fear. Prayer leads to peace and calmness.

So, which one should you choose?

Obviously, instead of worrying about the things you can’t change, pray to God who can change things for you!

Tweet

Here’s an encouraging verse about worrying and praying.

Please read it carefully and let these words dwell deeply in your heart:

Be anxious for nothing, BUT in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Did you see the powerful promise from these verses?

Paul was telling us not to be anxious – not to worry.

Instead, what should we do?

We pray.

What will happen then?

The peace of God will guard our hearts and mind!

Such a wonderful and precious promise from our Heavenly Father.

So, don’t worry.

But pray instead.

Pray for God’s divine protection.

Pray for those people who were affected by the disease.

Pray for the countries, cities, and communities that have been locked down due to coronavirus.

Pray for the people who are taking care of the sick.

Pray for your family, friends, and relatives.

Pray for the safety of everyone.

Prayer is powerful and it will do you more good than to worry.

3. Stay informed

The Bible tells us not just to pray, but we need to couple our prayer with watching.

Yahshua or Jesus Christ has instructed as many times to watch and pray (Matthew 26:41; Mark 13:33, 14:38; Luke 21:36).

Watching involves staying informed.

As they say, knowledge is power and the more right information you have, the better equipped you are in overcoming the coronavirus disease.

Listen to updates and news – both locally and internationally.

Now, the main goal of watching world events is not to scare you.

Its main goal is to help you prepare and know what to do.

As Christians, we can always look at the news today with the biblical perspective and that’s one advantage that we have.

When you get the correct information, you need not to panic, get stressed, or worry over COVID-19.

Now, here’s where things can get complicated and challenging.

There’s a lot of information we see in the news, social media, TV, and other sources.

Sometimes, they conflict each other.

For example, some say that COVID-19 is deadlier than seasonal flu, while others say that’s not true.

So, which one should you believe?

Now, I’m not an expert on this, but let me tell you that you check your sources.

Be sure that the sources you use are reliable.

If in doubt, stick with the basic facts.

The problem with COVID-19 is that it is a new strain of virus that there’s still little that we know of.

We can’t even rely on statistics being given to us since there are a lot of things that are unaccounted for.

So, my advise is for you to stay informed with the RIGHT information.

I think the problem with some media outlets is that they tend to exaggerate things so that their story will sell.

Yes, they get famous and viral but at the cost of causing unnecessary anxiety, fear, and panic.

So be very careful with what you read.

Be sure that what you are reading is confirmed, reliable, and true.

These are some of the things we need to understand as we face this current problem.

For us Christians who have trusted God and put our faith in Him, there’s nothing to fear.

However, please note that I’m NOT downplaying the seriousness of COVID-19.

I’m the first one to tell you that I don’t have all the facts.

The information about COVID-19 I write here might even become obsolete in the following weeks or months.

I don’t know what the future holds.

The situation may get worse or it can get better.

But one thing’s for sure:

As long as we are doing our part, God will do what we can’t do.

It is up to His infinite wisdom how He will intervene in our life.

Whether He will spare us from this disease or not, He has His reasons.

We can just be confident that everything He does or allows is trying to achieve better things in our lives.

4. Stay healthy

They say that the best offense is the best defense.

However, it can also go the other way around.

The best defense is the best offense especially when it comes to battling diseases such as COVID-19.

The best way for you to fight infections and illnesses is for you to stay healthy.

Boost your immune system.

Have enough rest and sleep.

Avoid staying up late because our body repairs itself during the night.

It is through sleeping that we become stronger for the next day.

Drink an adequate amount of water.

Another advice is to eat balanced, healthy food.

Make sure you follow God’s food law as well found on Leviticus 11.

Eat a lot of vegetables and fruits as these will help boost your immune system.

Avoid vices such as cigarette smoking and drunkenness.

Try your best to minimize stress and promote peace of mind by praying.

Get enough exercise as well.

Finally, don’t forget proper hygiene.

The best way to avoid getting infected by the coronavirus disease is to wash your hands often.

Use soap, alcohol or sanitizer.

All these should help you stay healthy and strengthen your body against not just the COVID-19, but also other types of illnesses.

5. Continue with your life

I have asked the question about what you should do if the coronavirus is inching closer and closer in your community or it has already affected your area.

Well, here’s the answer:

Go on with your life but with precaution and trust in God’s mighty care and love.

I think in this time, we can be careful without fearing and being anxious.

It is not against our faith to take certain precautionary measures.

If we only rely on our faith without our works, we might be in danger of tempting God.

We can’t be irresponsible and put ourselves and others in danger.

However, don’t let the fear of coronavirus keep you from doing what God has put in your heart.

Now, I’m not saying that you should be naive and careless.

Please, don’t get wrong.

What I’m saying is that do what you must.

Continue with your life, but with carefulness, WISDOM, and most importantly, faith in God’s divine protection.

Do whatever you can to avoid getting sick, but don’t let fear and worry reign in your life.

No matter how we live or how we die, our life is in God’s hands.

That’s why, if you haven’t committed your life to God yet, do it now.

We never know when our end will be.

So, surrender everything to God but at the same time, do your part.

As humans, we can only do much.

But thankfully, we have our Heavenly Father who will take care of us.

Final words

These are the best things we can do as Christians when presented with the coronavirus disease threat.

Don’t be afraid.

Don’t worry, but pray.

Do your best to stay healthy.

Stay informed and go on with your life with God’s unending love and divine protection.

There’s no need to worry or fear.

Let God be God and submit your life to Him.

COVID-19 may be real and frightening, but we have a BIGGER God who is mightier and more supreme.

P.S. If this blog has inspired you or this website has helped you in any way, please consider supporting this noble work. Learn more how you can help here.

(P.P.S. I have edited and updated some details on this article to reflect the latest updates on COVID-19.)