Thoughts on Coronavirus (COVID-19): God cares about our illnesses and diseases

Thoughts for disciples as we make changes to deal with the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

Coronavirus: What do we do now?

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the spread of a virus known as novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from an outbreak initially reported in the city of Wuhan in China into a global pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization (March 11, 2020) Coronavirus is a new and particularly difficult to detect and treat flu-like virus, and is being reported as having a high mortality rate, especially in populations of patients older than 60 years old and those with certain existing health conditions.

News reports about the virus, along with everyday conversation, are filled with speculation about the spread of the pandemic, new cases and fatalities, With recent emergencies declared by the Federal government and many state governments, including my home state of Virginia, we’ve been asked to “limit large public events” and to practice “social distancing”, a new concept for many of us and challenging for us hug-friendly, high-fivin’, hand-holding during prayer Christians!

As a result, most of our family of churches in the ACR have decided to go virtual for Sunday service, in many cases because we rent facilities like schools, which will be closed over the next few weeks across the country. We also will be limiting our face-to-face meeting times, including midweek service and Bible Talks. While it will be difficult and possibly discouraging to not be together in fellowship, and will slow down the work of spreading the gospel, it can also be an opportunity for us to take some time to reflect on God’s grace, to bond closer with our families and friends and to have deeper devotional times in God’s Word and in prayer.

As we go into a time of uncertainty about the future, we wanted to offer some thoughts and resources to help face the challenges ahead. Below are links to resources related to coronavirus safety, perspective on church service cancelations and ideas on how to grow spiritually despite not being together to worship.

Church Statements on COVID-19

Many of the churches in our fellowship face a temporary loss of their facilities to worship; in most cases, these are schools that have announced closures as a precaution. Almost all have decided to stream their services online this Sunday and for the next few weeks.

The Northern Virginia church has posted a letter about their COVID-19 decisions with resources on preventative care and maintaining a spiritual perspective. The Capital Rivers church (formerly known as the Montgomery County church) in Maryland also posted an informative letter. Some of the information they provided is posted below.

General Preventative Care Recommendations

• Wash your hands. A lot. Wash them after touching surfaces that others may have recently touched. Wash for at least 20 seconds (as you’ve heard many times by now, sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself twice – or maybe an alternative?). Then wash them again. Seriously, wash your hands often.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose and eyes.
• Avoid large group gatherings or close contact with sick people. When in public, avoid anyone who is coughing or appears to be sick, and keep a six-foot distance away from others if possible.
• Stay home if you are sick or at high risk (see next section below). If you are sick, follow the recommendations of your doctor. You may check for instructions posted online by your health care organization.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you use a tissue, wash your hands afterward. Yes, wash your hands!
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or proper handwashing frequently. And there it is again… wash your hands!
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Use face masks only if you are sick
• Restrict international travel and non-essential domestic travel
• Check the CDC Travel Guidance prior to any trips. If you touch your keyboard, phone or tablet when you’re checking, you know what to do (see the first bullet point above).

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS

The odds of developing COVID-19 increase with age, starting at age 60. It is especially dangerous for people over 80. Elderly patients and those with underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart or lung disease, are advised take precautions in addition to those above:

• Stock up on medications, household items and groceries to stay at home for a time until the outbreak begins to wane.
• Avoid all travel, if possible.
• Practice “social distancing” and try to maintain a six-foot distance between people.

New Church Fellowship Practices

As mentioned above, our fellowship practices involve hugging, holding hands during prayer and other ways of warmly greeting one another. The coronavirus, as with other flu-like illnesses, is commonly spread by touch and close proximity to those who are infected. Since it’s difficult to tell who has been exposed or could possibly be in the early phases of infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends “put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community” (from their online guide on how to prepare for COVID-19). How can we do that as disciples and yet continue to reflect the love of our Lord and Savior? A few suggestions:

• Instead of shaking hands and giving hugs, we can substitute other common greetings that avoid touching, such as the elbow or forearm tap, waving with a smile or pressing our hands together and bowing (commonly called the “Namaste greeting”). If you’re a fan of Star Trek, you may consider a “Vulcan Salute” as some in Congress adopted this past week.
• We’ll be live-streaming many of our services, and this may be a new experience for many. Be sure to get the links and try the apps ahead of time. In the Hampton Roads church, we’ll be using both Facebook and Youtube. Check the links to test the pages on your laptop, or download the apps and search for the Hampton Roads church. Do this before Sunday morning so that you can view the stream instead of fumbling with your laptop, tablet or phone while the service starts.
• Also prepare to have communion in your home. You can make your own communion bread, and you can use wine or unsweetened grape juice – you may need to get some of the ingredients ahead of time, so plan on stopping by the store.
• Don’t forget your contribution! The financial needs of the church continue even though the world is slowing down to battle the virus. At Hampton Roads, you can give online. You need to register and provide payment information if this is your first time e-giving. While you’re there, consider giving also to the benevolence fund: we can expect that there will be more needs as the pandemic spread continues.
• The elderly in our church are among the most vulnerable and others with existing health issues are also at risk. The general guidance is that these populations avoid face to face interaction, but we don’t want them to be isolated or disconnected. Be sure to remember those among us who are older or have health issues, check in and see if there are needs, and make sure they have a way to join the streaming worship services.
• This also a time to remember the poor and those in need. If you are able, please find ways to serve your neighbors and share what you have with those in need. Check with your church leadership to see what opportunities exist.

Keep a Spiritual Perspective

During this time of crisis, while many are worried about food and toilet paper, or getting sick or caring for loved ones who are sick, remember that God cares about our illnesses and diseases. While the coronavirus is causing many around the world to be ill and some to face death, we know that in “all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28 New International Version). God doesn’t want to see any of his children in pain or suffering, but wants us to look to Him and depend on Him when we face these types of trials.

• Spend time in Pray: remember the One “who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:3 New International Version). Pray for the sick and for those making caring for them. Pray for those who lead our nations to make good decisions. Pray for God’s church and for the lost.
• Study the Word: Use the next few weeks to start or catch up on a Bible reading plan. Do a deeper study of a book, character or topic in the Word. Check out some of the Bible studies on bentonblog!
• Stay Connected: Call and check in with the elderly, those who are at risk and others who may be isolated while waiting out the pandemic. Find encouraging scriptures and share them with others via phone, email, text or social media. If you’re working from home now, spend your commute time with your family.
• Serve Others: Find ways to serve others, whether in your household, your neighborhood or volunteering in the community. Don’t hoard supplies – share them with others in need. Encourage someone whether you think they need encouragement or not (spoiler: everyone needs encouragement right now).

Stay well both physically and spiritually. And now go wash your hands.

Praise the Lord, my soul

Psalm 103:1 New International Version