Rev. Dr. Mike Wooton

“What we all need to hear is, everything is going to be alright.”

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My 4 year-old daughter fell off the counter last week. She was helping put dishes away and decided to stand up. Parent of the year, here. By the time I saw her it was too late. As she fell she looked liked a rag doll cyclone attached to a rock. I’m grateful she was okay, just bumps and bruises. As I picked her up she was screaming and did what any good father would do; I rushed her to mom. When I was running with her to the back of the house I noticed something, I said what every loving parent always says to their scared child, “Everything is going to be alright.” As I repeated those words over and over, it quieted my daughter as I got her to her mom. Those words, said by someone who cares about us, bring calm to whatever storm we are going through, “everything is going to be alright.”

I know the Coronavirus is serious; I don’t trivialize it. I’ve been throughly reading what medical personnel have been sharing with the public, as well as, taking the necessary precautions that need to be taken. I’ve been in prayer, particularly for our health care workers and their families, over the last twenty-four hours. I am grateful for how the government, communities and businesses are coming together to work through this together. However, I’ve recently heard from two people that said they don’t fear the Coronavirus, they fear how people will respond to it. Here is my pastoral response; everything is going to be alright.

“I’ve recently heard from two people that said they don’t fear the Coronavirus, they fear how people will respond to it. Here is my pastoral response; everything is going to be alright”

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The fear of what others what others might say or do in times of crisis only plays tricks on our minds. It sets us up to see the worst people. There is something in theology called the Imago Dei, it basically means we all were created in the image of God. Yeah, there is a lot covering up that image; our sin, issues, problems, mistakes, fears, inadequacies, etc. Redemption only comes from the person of Christ, but the point is that God made all people, so there is good in us all somewhere. How do we find that Imago Dei, “good” in others? Simply, see and think of people in the best light. What if we looked at the world right now and started thinking, “We are going to get through this.” Or, “I know we will pull through this together.” “God is going to take care of the world he loves.” You know what I think the results of that would be? We would know “everything is going to be alright.” Not only that, but maybe God will do something remarkable through this historic event in humanity. Here are a few more tips to help you remember that everything is going to be alright.

1. If social media is messing with you, turn it off. Yeah, so you need to stay up to date with what is happening, it doesn’t mean you have to stay in the constant scroll of your phone. It will save your thumbs future arthritis.
2. Talk with people you care about. One of the most simple things in time of anxiety is to talk with and be around people who care about you.
3. Use this time to the best of your ability. Have you been needing some fun? Play games or watch a movie. Have you not felt challenges lately? Read a book or work towards a goal. Do you just need to do something? Work on the yard or go on a hike.
4. Read the Bible. Particularly where the bible talks about peace.
5. Help someone. There are people everywhere that need help during this time. Do you have an elderly neighbor, call and see if you can help with anything. Are you a stay at home parent? Call friends who need their children watched during the school closures. Do you extra income to help someone? Donate to the local food bank. Helping someone always helps us.

We are going to get through this, together. God is working for good in the world even right now in the midst of the darkness. I leave you with one of my favorite verses, Daniel 2:22, “(God) knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.” We may not know how everyone is going to react to the Coronavirus, it may be like darkness to us, but be not afraid, for there is one who sees in the darkness, although he is surrounded by light. That is why I know, and I want you to know, everything is going to be alright. Rev. Mike.