Coronavirus-Schmonavirus; are you fearful?

Y’all. I’m going to bear my heart (yes, I know I do that often). Long post ahead; don’t say I didn’t warn you.

This entire time through the Coronavirus situation, I have said over and over that I am not fearful of it. That’s still true, I am not. I am not fearful of this virus.

But for some reason yesterday afternoon, panic grabbed my heart. Not in a little twinge of fear, but an absolute moment of utter breakdown while I was in Target. I apologize to all who witnessed this #SendWine.

I had a feeling the kids were going to be out of school for a bit (God help us all and may the odds ever be in your favor) after I heard Governor Lee’s suggestion for all schools across the state to close. I knew I didn’t have enough food in the house to feed 3 teenagers for 2 weeks, so grocery shopping is where I went. I was fine, I truly was, until I passed the peanut butter aisle. Empty. I passed the soup aisle. Empty. I passed the TP and paper towel aisle. Empty. Laundry detergent was slim pickings. There were only a few jugs of milk left. Then it hit me. FEAR AND PANIC. Not fear of the virus, but absolute fear of not being able to care for my children during this time. It isn’t about lack of finances, but a lack of resources. I looked and saw what felt like utter madness that the stores would be almost empty, all because of a virus.

I have never been by myself through a time of panic in our country. If it was just me with no kids, I would be completely fine...thanks to 9 seasons of The Walking Dead, I’m pretty sure I’ve got some mad post apocalypse survival skills. 💁🏻‍♀️ But it’s not just me, it’s my kids too. That’s where my fear came from. I don’t know that I’ve ever wanted my husband by my side more than I wanted him in that moment.

Obviously, he’s not here. I am a single mom caring for 3 teenagers and we’re going to be okay. I know this. I called on my precious Sisters (love you my Soul Sisters) to lift me in prayer. I called my amazing cousin Amy who encouraged my heart.

Y’all, this is the Devil. I truly believe this. I believe over the last few months that there has been a mighty revival for Jesus and that the enemy doesn’t like it. This is his little temper tantrum to divert our attention from God’s glory.

The enemy knows the virus is not a fear for me, but he know that not being able to care for and protect my children is. That is where he got me.

DO NOT ALLOW THE ENEMY TO SNAKE FEAR INTO YOUR HEART.

Joshua 1:9 says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:10 says “Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God.”

Now, does this mean to be foolish about taking precautions against the virus? Not at all, we still need to be diligent in helping to protect others, but to me, it just reiterates that God is in control.

Fear says that I don’t trust God. I do trust Him. My God is the one who created everything on this precious earth, from the largest mountain to the smallest virus. He knows my future; He has plans for me. Jeremiah 29:11. I trust Him with my life and with my children’s lives.

I will not allow the enemy to grip my heart with fear and I pray that for you too.