COMMENTS ON COVID<\/p>\n
There is nothing easier than posting false claims on social media to stir up and
\ncause alarm and confusion. Christians should not be gullible but thoughtful and
\nrather bring everything they hear or read to the scrutiny of common sense, the
\nBible and a correct understanding of our times. This is very applicable to the
\ncurrent Covid virus and its many conspiracy theories as well as various other
\nclaims made by sincere believers. Many of these claims are made in the name
\nof Christianity but they are alarmist and often contain an element of hysteria.
\nIn the light of this I offer the following thoughts.<\/p>\n
1. Remember we are not being persecuted for our faith because of
\ngovernment resolutions. Rather it is an attempt to protect us from
\ninfection. We may not agree with all the rules but as Christian believers
\nwe should be careful about our response and how we speak. We must
\nnot make false accusations again those whom God has raised up to rule
\nus. We may indeed disagree with all the precautions and even think
\nsome are unnecessary, but we maintain respect toward our authorities,
\nand we watch the way we speak.<\/p>\n
2. Remember also that the government is caught between a rock and a
\nhard place. They must keep the economy going as best they can and at
\nthe same time, they must keep the people safe. It is inevitable their plan
\nwill not be perfect and indeed it might be inconsistent. We may hear lots
\nof people grumbling about government inefficiency and there maybe
\nelements of truth in that. But I would not like to be in our government\u2019s
\nshoes. Would you?
\n3. Be careful of individual ideologies or personal political preferences in
\nwhat we read. We should also be on our guard against conspiracy
\ntheories. Not everything that appears on social media or whatever is
\ntrue.
\n4. To disobey the government in this matter is to court trouble. It may
\nseem clever and heroic at the time, especially for some churches who<\/p>\n
wish to continue meeting. But if you or your congregation falls ill you
\nwill need to be treated by the same institution you defied. How
\nhumiliating is that!
\n5. Above all remember you are a Christian you should think and behave as
\na Christian even though lockdown makes things difficult. Beware of
\nanger, depression and a host of other problems you may have been
\ndealing with before lock down becoming merged with your lockdown
\nsyndrome.
\nRemember too there are thousands of others in this same position as
\nyou and indeed some are worse off than you may be.
\n6. Bear in mind there is a bigger picture.
\nFirst remember that the virus is God\u2019s virus, and He will accomplish all
\nHe wishes to do through this pandemic. This does not mean that God is
\nnot compassionate and merciful, but we need to bear in mind that there
\nmight well be an element of divine judgement in this pandemic against a
\nworld that has rejected Him. I do not mean to suggest that everything
\nthat goes wrong is a judgement, but I do mean we should remember
\nwho God is.
\nSecondly remember that in spite of the pandemic many are becoming
\nChristians. Even in wrath God always remembers mercy and people are
\nhearing the Gospel and responding to Christ in ways and in numbers we
\ncannot count.
\nThirdly this virus is giving us two very important opportunities. The first
\nis that in our solitude God is giving us the opportunity to face ourselves
\nand our values and ask ourselves hard questions. Am I a believer in the
\nGod of creation and His son Jesus or not? The second is that if I am
\nindeed a Christian what can I do, even if I am solitary, to reach out to
\nsomeone else? Are you doing nothing or trying to do something?
\n7. Formulate a plan for each day. You may of course have your own
\npersonal program but if you don\u2019t and feel that you are languishing in
\ndepression then may I suggest the following.
\n1) Remember that in spite of everything you are loved by God. Your
\nloneliness and struggle is not saying \u201cI don\u2019t love you\u201d but rather \u201cI
\nam with you in spite of your struggle. Will you continue to trust me?\u201d<\/p>\n
2) Set a daily routine.
\nYou have heard this before, but it really is necessary to keep order in
\nyour life.
\na) Get up at the same time every day
\nb) Have breakfast \u2013 very important
\nc) Make your bed. This sounds ridiculous but for those suffering
\nfrom some form of depression it is very important. An unkempt
\nhouse leads to a sense of disorder and depression.
\nd) Do some exercise
\ne) Read your Bible and say your prayers.
\nf) Do your household chores. This is very important even if it seems
\ntrivial.
\ng) Contact someone and if possible, pray over the phone with them.
\nh) Read a book
\ni) Have lunch
\nj) Go to the store
\nk) Exercise again
\nl) Have supper
\nm) Relax for the evening. Watch your TV
\nn) Say your prayers
\no) Go to bed at a regular time more or less.<\/p>\n
I know this all sounds childish and prescriptive, but these simple tasks are what
\nmany people are not doing, and it only makes them more depressed, sad and
\nlonely if they are alone. The more disorderly your life becomes the more
\npointless it seems. Of course, what you do during the day may be completely
\ndifferent depending on your circumstances. But above all if you are a disciple
\nof Jesus reach out to someone as best you can no matter how simple the
\ngesture may be.<\/p>\n
Finally, Covid begins with the letter C. Here are four C\u2019s to go with it.
\nChristian
\nConviction
\nCourage
\nCompassion<\/p>\n
Keep these things before you, ponder them deeply and may God keep you
\nstrong inwardly, godly outwardly and may He bless and prosper your house.<\/p>\n
Frank Retief<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
COMMENTS ON COVID There is nothing easier than posting false claims on social media to stir up and cause alarm and confusion. Christians should not be gullible but thoughtful and rather bring everything they hear or read to the scrutiny of common sense, the Bible and a correct understanding of our times. This is very […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/frankretief.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4206"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/frankretief.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/frankretief.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frankretief.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frankretief.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4206"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/frankretief.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4206\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/frankretief.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}