I am obsessed over this virus because I am afraid

Ricky M said:

Compare the numbers to other diseases that have far worse outcomes and yet do not generate the paranoia C19 does. Heck, even driving exacts a higher toll, yet we're not told to stay home and ruin the world's economy to fight that.

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Unless we get some cure, millions might die.

John Helpher said:

You mean, like viruses for homosexuals and earthquakes for Christian adulterers?

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I do not presume to be that specific. I don't know. I do make observations. The 2004 Tsunami killed
170,000 people in Aceh, Indonesia. That province is under Sharia law and routinely persecutes Christians, burning their homes, sometimes killing them and treating them as inferior citizens. Was the Tsunami God's judgement? Sure looks like it. Especially when one coastal village forced Christians to leave the village for Christmas celebrations. The Christians were on high ground when the Tsunami struck and were unharmed. Not so the village.

Aussie Pete said:

I do not presume to be that specific. I don't know. I do make observations.

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The problem I have with these kinds of observations is that they paint God as being fairly inconsistent; he punishes some people (who just happen to be outside the observers favored group, like muslims or homosexuals) while ignoring the sins of others. If homosexuality is an abomination deserving of a disease, what about adultery and greed? Jesus said a lot about greed (and nothing about homosexuality) whereas most professing Christians these days hardly seem to realize greed even exists; the more money you have the better.

In fact, this disease doesn't seem to make any distinction between hetero and homosexual; it's infecting hundreds of thousands around the world. What does appear to be happening as a result, though, is an exposure of just how dependent the world, even professing Christians, have become on money.

John Helpher said:

Things change. It's good to be prepared for all the various options.



There have been close to 24k deaths around the world. Is there some reason why you'd feel a need to minimize this number?



Yeah, because that's consistent with what Jesus taught; why concern ourselves with the weak and the sick who have already got one foot in the grave anyway?



Can you provide a source for this claim?

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World health organisation. It obviously varies from country to country. Normal flu kills a lot of people too, that's why we are encouraged to get flu shots every year. I don't bother. Flu death rate is about 1/10th of the Corona virus. In 2017, the USA killed more people by gunshot (including suicide) than have died worldwide by Corona virus.

John Helpher said:

The problem I have with these kinds of observations is that they paint God as being fairly inconsistent; he punishes some people (who just happen to be outside the observers favored group, like muslims or homosexuals) while ignoring the sins of others. If homosexuality is an abomination deserving of a disease, what about adultery and greed? Jesus said a lot about greed (and nothing about homosexuality) whereas most professing Christians these days hardly seem to realize greed even exists; the more money you have the better.

In fact, this disease doesn't seem to make any distinction between hetero and homosexual; it's infecting hundreds of thousands around the world. What does appear to be happening as a result, though, is an exposure of just how dependent the world, even professing Christians, have become on money.

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God's judgement is very often just to leave humanity to its own devices. We are more than capable of creating mayhem without God's help. HIV has been traced to apes. It is likely that infection was transmitted to humans by eating an infected animal. If God's food laws had been heeded, the virus would have not infected humans. It then was spread by unacceptable (to God) sexual practises. And the Coronavirus has been traced to bats at a food market. We reap what we sow.

Aussie Pete said:

World health organisation.

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Can you post the link where the WHO says "99% of people recover with no ill effects"?

Aussie Pete said:

Flu death rate is about 1/10th of the Corona virus. In 2017, the USA killed more people by gunshot (including suicide) than have died worldwide by Corona virus.

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But, why bother making a comparison in the first place?

Aussie Pete said:

God's judgement is very often just to leave humanity to its own devices.

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But, not for those Muslims you mentioned earlier, right? Or the homosexuals you linked to HIV as a punishment on them?

Aussie Pete said:

If God's food laws had been heeded, the virus would have not infected humans.

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So, even though the effect of this virus is showing just how dependent humanity has become on money and how our money-grubbing society is ill equipped to handle a quick response to the problem precisely because of that money-grubbing and how similar this issue is to all Jesus said about our relationship to greed and money, you think the real problem is that people are eating the wrong food? I mean, Jesus said it's not what goes into the body that makes us unclean and then there's Peter's vision where God showed him all kinds of wild animals, telling him to kill and eat. When Peter rebuked God, saying he could not because the food was unclean, God rebuked him back saying he should not call unclean what God has made clean. Paul said that we can eat anything now.

It's easy to look down on others, believing the bad things happening to them are some kind of punishment, but almost always it ends up being self righteousness.

John Helpher said:

Can you post the link where the WHO says "99% of people recover with no ill effects"?



But, why bother making a comparison in the first place?



But, not for those Muslims you mentioned earlier, right? Or the homosexuals you linked to HIV as a punishment on them?



So, even though the effect of this virus is showing just how dependent humanity has become on money and how our money-grubbing society is ill equipped to handle a quick response to the problem precisely because of that money-grubbing and how similar this issue is to all Jesus said about our relationship to greed and money, you think the real problem is that people are eating the wrong food? I mean, Jesus said it's not what goes into the body that makes us unclean and then there's Peter's vision where God showed him all kinds of wild animals, telling him to kill and eat. When Peter rebuked God, saying he could not because the food was unclean, God rebuked him back saying he should not call unclean what God has made clean. Paul said that we can eat anything now.

It's easy to look down on others, believing the bad things happening to them are some kind of punishment, but almost always it ends up being self righteousness.

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3.4% Mortality Rate estimate by the World Health Organization as of March 3
In his opening remarks at the March 3 media briefing on Covid-19, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated:

“Globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected.”

Ahermit said:

Your soul, your inner being, the REAL you, is not afraid. It already knows that your body is only a vessel (like a car) to get around in. You have a body, but your are not the body. If you believe you are the body, then you fear its death will be your death too. If you believe that you are not the body, you won't die when the body dies. So, as a Christian, ask yourself what do you believe you are, body or spirit.

May Jesus Christ be your role model in facing your life, as well as your dying.
Remember, everybody experiences two things, birth and dying. So you are not alone in facing these things.

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Very well said. Thank you brother for the great, yet simple explanation. Have learned a new thing today. Shalom shalom

My advice. Unplug from the media, max 1 hour of news a day, local news would be better, spend more time reading.

Introverted1293 said:

I am terrified.

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I think we're all a bit freaked out. You're not the only one who is afraid. Fear is helpful when it encourages us to do what we can. Fear has its purpose. But, it also has its limits. If my fear is preventing me from focusing, if it hinders my ability to function, then it is no longer serving its function. If my fear causes me to be irrational, so that my irrationality is going to cause me or others harm, it has to be put to the side.

One way to overcome fear is to become super focused in the moment. I was driving to work early in the morning, not too long ago. An eighteen wheeler came around the corner in my lane. The driver saw me and was trying to get back in the other lane, but the trailer was leaning. He could only cut back so much. I hit the ditch. It all worked out. But once I was past it, then I became afraid. While I was in the moment, all I could do was focus. Well, that focus is always available, we just don't do it.

All we really have is this moment, right now, as you read this. It is tempting to project into the future about what may be. But, that future is never here. All we can do is the best we can, right now, and then trust God for the rest. I hope you find some peace in this madness. I think you can.

Ricky M said:

In a world of 7.8 billion, there have been 18,044 deaths. That's 0.00023% of the population. This whole fear-mongering thing is grossly overblown.

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Seems there's a high risk of systematic misdiagnosis. All fatalities in Aus to date are advanced in age and had underlying serious conditions. The original clinical reports purporting to identify this 'novel' strain are plainly deficient in numerous ways eg small sample size, no biopsies, standard causative factors not applied, no peer review and so on. So if the tests are based on faulty methods, we'll be seeing lots of false positives for general cold and flu conditions.

If the firstfruits are unholy, will not the lump also be unholy?

We are praying for you we love you!

Introverted1293 said:

I am terrified. All I can think about is this virus that's going around. It is in my town right now and so far two people have found to be positive with this virus. I am afraid to go shopping. I won't even spend time with my family. My mom has invited me to go and spend time with her, and she is a widow. But I won't do it. I won't let anyone touch me. I am obsessed with washing my hands every second of the day. My hands are starting to crack.

I am healthy physically right now. But mentally I think I'm going to have a breakdown. I keep getting news about so many people dying and how the death toll is increasing. I took the trash out and some stuff flew in my face. That freaks me out. I washed my face but I know that if I end up with a virus, washing it won't stop it.

I don't know what advice you can give me. But any encouragement or advice will be helpful. Thank you very much.

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OK, I've been thinking about this question for a couple and days and I have some unusual advice. I am quite serious and not intending to be flippant,

First off, fear is not something that you can rationalize away. So data and arguments don't help much. But there are some things you can do to lessen your fear.

The main cause of your fear is that you are not ready to die and yet you might get sick and die of an invisible virus without warning. You are also experiencing a total loss of control over your life. These things are natural and not your fault.

Here is something you can do to gain back a little control while lessening your fears: make a will.

Odds are that you will not die or even get sick, but making a will can make you feel better. Make it as simple or complicated as you wish. This very act will help bring order to your chaotic world. It doesn't have to be a legal document, just express your thoughts on paper regarding what you have and where it should go.

Then think about all the people you would like to reconcile with before you are gone. If you are in lockdown you can just write to people and express how the global pandemic has given you a new perspective on what is really important and that you would like to fix whatever problem there is between you. (This not about being right, it is about achieving peace, both inner and social, as well as bringing peace to others.)

Finally, you should make a "bucket list" of things you would do to achieve peace both before you die and also if you somehow survive this virus. Also, don't forget about getting your soul ready to meet God.

This "will" should be a private matter and not shared with anyone. In normal times a will makes most people anxious, but those who are anticipating the end will find great comfort and perhaps some illumination.

Here is some scripture to consider about preparing for the end:

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
Luke 16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

6 “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

The american media makes it worse then it sounds. The media is good at making people panic. Then truth is the virus is not going to end the world and less then 1% of americans will die from it. Estimates say that in 18 months there could be 16 million dead worldwide. Most of which will be in third world countries.

Is that alot? Well not really. Not when compared to the 7.8 billion world population. Should we fear it? No. It's normal to be worried but as for myself, I am staying strong in the Lord. Myself, my wife and my dad all have immune system issues, so theres always a tiny chance we can die from it. But I'm not scared. I just got to stay safe and at home.

Introverted1293 said:

I am terrified. All I can think about is this virus that's going around.

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So sorry Jesse - I've read your posts from time to time and always admired you. It is a scary thing, but I really see it as being meant to be a humbling thing. It's a good time to turn to God and ask 'what about me, and our relationship?' All the distractions have been taken away, all the places are shut. We can then either bathe in fear or in faith.

Jesus said: Luke 12:4-6

4 I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?b Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

So the virus, it can kill the body but nothing more. But the situation of the virus, it will reveal the soul of the person within the body - is it selfish, obsessesed with losing its things and its money, defending what is has? does it give thought to God and helping its fellow man? It has revealed a lot about myself over the last couple months, things I haven't really liked. I stocked more than food, I stocked weapons and made plans to use them if there were intruders or social disturbances. And then I had to ask myself - who is defending this house? Me? Or Christ?

It is scary, I don't know your personal situation but I am 48 and a smoker, and my fiance is 61 and a smoker, so neither of us want to be exposed to this. So we don't go out much. We are fortunate to have stocked early and able to order things online that we might need. The bigger threat though is to become irritated and unloving towards each other in the middle of the stress, or to prepare for things that may never happen, and to prepare for them in such a way that would anger God (to prepare to do violence, to prepare to do evil rather than to respond with love)

The virus though is not supernatural in it's contagion. It is not a poison gas attack. We still walk the dog. I'll meet with a friend today who needs some company, but keep my distance. I carry a bottle of water that has 2 tablespoons of bleach in it, if I need to go anywhere and touch anything, I use that before I get back into my car or entering the house again. Then I know with reasonable certainty that my hands and my car and my house and myself are safe. Also, my community is safe, I am doing my part and not acting foolishly. That's all I have to do really (to my mind). God will take care of the rest. The more important thing is to keep my relationship with Him right. My life and my things will come to an end anyway whether it is this year by this virus or some other year by some other end, so 'store up for yourself treasures in heaven'.

Anyway, God bless you - I hope you are able to relax a little. Love and peace to you.

Introverted1293 said:

I am terrified. All I can think about is this virus that's going around. It is in my town right now and so far two people have found to be positive with this virus. I am afraid to go shopping. I won't even spend time with my family. My mom has invited me to go and spend time with her, and she is a widow. But I won't do it. I won't let anyone touch me. I am obsessed with washing my hands every second of the day. My hands are starting to crack.

I am healthy physically right now. But mentally I think I'm going to have a breakdown. I keep getting news about so many people dying and how the death toll is increasing. I took the trash out and some stuff flew in my face. That freaks me out. I washed my face but I know that if I end up with a virus, washing it won't stop it.

I don't know what advice you can give me. But any encouraging or advice will be helpful. Thank you very much.

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Stop watching and listening to things that's making you fearful and panic. Plead the Blood of Jesus over yourself, your loved one, your property and your town. Pray for your country. Praying and reading the Word can calm you down. Spend time that way and not watching all the negative news. Its true I feel negative too after I watch the news these days. How quickly the world has changed! Listen to encouraging christian messages on the internet and listen to calming christian music.

But also you need to be practical. The Bible has a whole book on being practical - The Book of Proverbs. So you need to use wisdom. The chinese have found that once one gets infected the mucus solidifies in the lungs which obstructs breathing. If you feel that you are developing a sore throat, gargle warm salty water like 3 times a day. This is done to prevent the mucus from entering the lungs. You should also drink hot water every 20 minutes. Are you indoors or do you have to go out to work? If you are indoors all the time you need not worry that much. Just keep the door handles sanitized and table surfaces cleaned. This virus remains on surfaces for 9 days. If you go out and come in don't sit immediately but wash the clothes that you are wearing in detergent and then have a bath. Eat more fruits and veggies as this increases your zinc level. Garlic is good. Quit smoking.

Me and my children are more prone to respiratory problems than others. We have corona cases in the next stop from my place. I don't have to go out that much so I guess its ok. Just trust in the Lord. Live righteous and holy. In that way even if the Lord calls us back home we will be just fine. God Bless You.

Introverted1293 said:

I am terrified. All I can think about is this virus that's going around. It is in my town right now and so far two people have found to be positive with this virus. I am afraid to go shopping. I won't even spend time with my family. My mom has invited me to go and spend time with her, and she is a widow. But I won't do it. I won't let anyone touch me. I am obsessed with washing my hands every second of the day. My hands are starting to crack.

I am healthy physically right now. But mentally I think I'm going to have a breakdown. I keep getting news about so many people dying and how the death toll is increasing. I took the trash out and some stuff flew in my face. That freaks me out. I washed my face but I know that if I end up with a virus, washing it won't stop it.

I don't know what advice you can give me. But any encouraging or advice will be helpful. Thank you very much.

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Takes a deep breath and ask Christ for peace. Yes do it right now and then do it again. This is absolutely the truth. If God wants you to die today at 2:04 pm, you will most assuredly die today at 2:04 pm. However, conversely if God doesn’t want you to die today there is nothing in the universe that can change that. Please relax and I will pray for you.