Hi ###,
I think this is the first time which at least in my experience I see the world is stopped for a while. For my opinion, we shouldn't compare Peter walking on through faith and this pandemic. If Peter would have drowned, it's only him who would have died and be with the Father, but here it's more of infecting many people through one person.
If we see the rate how it's multiplying around the world, it's a scary thing. We trust the LORD and have faith in Him that He will protect us, and on the other hand, this pandemic is real. The danger of this pandemic is a person can only know that he caught it after 10-14 days. And in this 14 days, he is asymptomatic, not knowing he got infected, he unintentionally infecting everyone in his family and community. Many get recovered by faith or we say immunity, but there are many who have underlying health issues which they even don't know.
It means if we don't take precautions, it may not kill us, but it definitely can infect the loved one or the persons we meet who have underlying health issues will be facing serious issues.
[Fear] is not a [sin], it is a result of something. It is natural to be afraid. The Bible says the [Fear] of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We do fear the LORD and taking precaution is not a sin.
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When fear is to the point where it completely takes over one, and makes them a slave to it, it can be a lack of faith in God to protect you, which to me is like saying, you think God doesn't have as much power as the thing you're afraid of. To me, even the reasoning of giving it to others is a lack of faith, because by thinking you can give it to others shows you think you're going to get it yourself. The Bible has some verses that speak out against fear, like when mentioning those who won't make it into the Holy City {New Jerusalem} we read, "As for...". And one mentioned is "the fearful". When the Antichrist comes, if a Christian is afraid to be martyred, will God overlook it? Read on, "Whosoever {including the fearful} takes the mark of the beast, or receives his number, in their right hand or their forehead, the same shall be tormented {If Jesus was "afraid" to go to the cross, none of us would be saved.} with fire and brimstone in the sight of the Lamb and of the holy angels. {even if they did it out of fear.} {"He who loves his life will lose it". The Christians who were thrown to the lions, many had a chance to renounce their faith, but didn't. Most of the fear I'm noticing is from the mindset of unsaved people. But for me, it's not even that that bothers me, they can have their fear, but when their fear-based actions are affecting me, forcing changes in my life {"forcing" is the word I'm focusing on} that I don't like. Like, their fear is inconveniencing ME, and that I have a hard time dealing with. I don't feel I should "act like" I'm afraid if I'm not, because others "expect it of me". I would be a phony if I pretended something I'm not. They have a right to be fearful, but I don't have a right to go to the buffet of my choice? Come on. P.S. Perhaps the reason their fear doesn't bother you is because you didn't have to give up anything because of it. Me, waiting in the drive-through at the bank 45 minutes, going into a supermarket, and having to walk "one way", and if I pass an item, I have to walk all the way around to get back to that spot inches away, for me, the price is too great to pay.
