Mountain top Musings

Well, in my last "musing" I wrote about praying for those in the world whose life had been impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Specifically, those who had lost a loved one to this virus. I can honestly say that I guessed this virus would find its way into most of the US. But I did not even begin to think about the chaos and fear that this would bring to the US. Who would have imagined that all schools in some areas would shut? Especially when the kids are not supposedly a prime candidate for this virus. Who would have imagined our economy would be devastated in such a short time by people buying up all the toilet paper & Kleenexes. Cancelation of events and such? Where was this media hype and fearmongering when the H1N1 flu virus was running around in 2009-10?

Here are the "CDC Estimates of 2009 H1N1 Influenza Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths in the United States. During the pandemic, CDC provided estimates of the numbers of 2009 H1N1 cases, hospitalizations and deaths on seven different occasions. Final estimates were published in 2011. These final estimates were that from April 12, 2009 to April 10, 2010 approximately 60.8 million cases (range: 43.3-89.3 million), 274,304 hospitalizations (195,086-402,719), and 12,469 deaths (8868-18,306) occurred in the United States due to pH1N1. These final estimates are available at: Estimating the burden of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in the United States (April 2009-April 2010)External Web Site Icon, Shrestha SS, et al., Clin Infect Dis. 2011 Jan 1;52 Suppl 1:S75-82."

In this pandemic, the target group was the younger folks. With COVID-19 we are told it is the older segment of the population. So were the young people not important to the media in 2009, as they were quite silent on the subject as compared to the hype and hysteria we have at this moment. Or maybe there is more to the panic infused atmosphere of the world leaders than meets the eye? A national emergency and all the shutdowns sure represent a powerful government and impotent people. At least that thought crosses my mind these days.

I guess for me, I try to not live and make decisions on fear or fantasy. Neither one leads to good decisions. Now, I am not saying we should ignore this serious health concern. But what are we to learn from the beginning of this pandemic?

First, for me I choose to continue to live my life without fear. Fear is the enemy of faith. I could fear the stock market crashing. I could fear my Mom might get the virus. I could fear the government declaring martial law. But where would get me? I would live a paralyzed life, blaming circumstances for what is not happening to fulfill my wants.

Sure, I am going to be cautious around sick people. And if I get sick take precautions to avoid others. But we all deal with a deadly virus each day, and most of us go along willy-nilly about it. We have the cure available but cast it to the ground. The disease is death, death as a result of our sin nature, sinful condition and sinful choices. God has the perfect cure for this pandemic, and it is the person of Jesus Christ. He is the Living Water, The Bread of Life, the Resurrection and the Life. Jesus is the ultimate cure for the ultimate enemy. As Romans 6:23 says so directly, "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

So, I encourage you to face the day with faith, faith in Jesus. Then watch those anxious feelings float away! The Devil desires us to live in fear and selfishness. God's plan is faithfulness and selflessness.

(Dave & Lisa Carroll are area missionaries with InFaith, America's oldest Christian home mission agency. You can contact Dave at 406.459.8935 or [email protected].)