The news isn’t encouraging. That’s an understatement. The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise. The pending threat of a pandemic outbreak is real. But I am hopeful. I really am. Here’s why.
We know how to take care of each other.
We have a track record in McDowell County of taking care of one another. Eleven years ago when gas prices skyrocketed and food prices soared, and the unemployment rate in McDowell County was on the rise (eventually reaching 16% in early 2009), we came together to feed hungry children. Called Lunch Bunch, churches, businesses, the local newspaper and individuals said “not on my watch” will kids go hungry. Since then we have provided food for 500 kids a summer–McDowell Countians have given more than $500,000 to make that happen. No grants. Just people helping each other. We know how to take care of each other.
We know how to work together.
We have the best Emergency Management Department in the state, led by compassionate and capable people. We have compassionate and capable leaders in every sector of our local government–they care about the people of McDowell County more than themselves. Last year when our county was threatened by repeated floods, I sat in a room with a team of remarkable leaders. Everyone checked their egos at the door and we offered our resources–whatever we had–to get us through. The CEO of the hospital, County Manager, Superintendent of Schools, Sheriff, leaders of other law enforcement agencies, Director of the Department of Social Services, and many more…put our heads and hearts together to do whatever we could to make McDowell Countians safe. We know how to work together.
We know how to trust God.
Psalm 112 is my “goto” Psalm when my trust in God falters. It begins with promises I’ve clung to more than once.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. (Psalm 112:2-3, ESV)
It then turns to the inevitable reality of life. It is from these words that we glean timeless truths we can hold onto during temporary bouts of difficulty.
Darkness must give way to light.
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. (Psalm 112:4, ESV)
The upright, happy, blessed person who fears the Lord will still face darkness. Just as day gives way to night, dark times are inevitable. However, for the God-fearing, Jesus-delighting follower, darkness must give way to light.
We can help–not hoard.
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. (Psalm 112:6,9, ESV)
Notice how the righteous person responds in crisis, in dark times: he or she deals generously and lends. She distributes freely. He gives to the poor. Already shelves are emptying as people “panic-buy” in light of the approaching crisis. Christians have a history of running “to” the crisis, not away from it. We go to the epicenter of earthquakes, rush to ground zero of hurricanes. We give instead of take, go instead of stay, help instead of hoard. The coronavirus must be no different. Begin thinking now, how can I help? I promise you, this will change your mindset.
We can trust–not be terrified.
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. (Psalm 112:7-8, ESV)
Bad news is inevitable. No one is saying that the coronavirus isn’t bad news. For some, it can be dangerous. For others, it is simply threatening. For all of us it’s real. But it isn’t the end. It’s bad, and it makes for bad news. When bad news comes, we have a choice. A steady heart is a trusting heart. A firm heart is a trusting heart. God is trustworthy. He’s brought us through before and will do it again.
None of Psalm 112 calls for abandoning wisdom. Wash your hands, cover your cough, take care of yourself.
And if it rolls into our county, I can’t wait to see how God will work…and we will too. We will “look in triumph on our adversaries.”
Enough for Today 
❤️
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