God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

(Psalm 46:1-3)

I write to you from Barcelona in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown where the numbers of infected in Spain just surpassed 25,000 with 1,350 deaths so far. And we are still climbing the curve with our hospitals currently at double their capacity according to the latest news. And I am in the group with probably the most risk - over 60 years old, with underlying respiratory complications. Recently I was hospitalized with a bad case of pneumonia.

I do not want to minimize the dangers and risks that come with this virus. For the sake of others and my own health, I plan to comply fully with the orders coming from our local authorities. However, despite being in the higher risk category, I can honestly say that I have no fear nor concern for my life. Nor do I subscribe to the crazy idea floating around that if we are children of God, we have nothing to fear from this virus. Where can you find the scripture in the Bible that affirms this? This deadly virus does not discriminate between believers and non-believers. The virus can affect us just like anyone else and what happens is totally in the hands of the Lord. He has predetermined what happens in our lives and nothing happens that He does not allow.

In my humble opinion, knowing this truth helps me to deal with the situation with peace and without fear. It allows me to avoid either of the two extreme responses: paralyzing anxiety, or complete disregard as if it’s much ado about nothing.

I believe that we have a God who has complete control of the universe and in whose powerful fortress I can rest. I believe that we have a God who holds me in his strong arms and that he will fulfill his purposes in me.

I don’t know what the future holds for me personally in relation to this pandemic. Honestly, I am not ready to leave this world just yet. But if this is my time, I do live with the satisfaction of having lived a good life and having tried to leave a legacy of trying, not always successfully, to serve as an agent of restoration and reconciliation. As the Psalmist says, “Let us not be afraid!”

How are you living in the times of the Covid-19?