The COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis is unprecedented in our lifetime. With fear and panic being spread everywhere we look, it can be difficult to have hope. In this 4-day plan, Pastor Rick Warren shares things you can remember, rely on, and do, to experience God’s hope and fight back against fear.
Rick Warren/Daily Hope
Day 1
Scripture: Proverbs 14:15
Not Everything You Hear Is True
If you spend any time on your phone or watching TV these days, you’re going to get a lot of information from a lot of different sources. It’s important, now more than ever, to remember that not everything you hear is true.
Proverbs 14:15 says, “The gullible believe anything they’re told; the prudent sift and weigh every word” (The Message).
Not everybody who speaks on the Internet, social media, TV, or radio knows what they’re talking about. Not everybody who’s talking about the Coronavirus crisis is worth listening to. You need to be selective!
Many people take advantage of a crisis and will have their own agenda. There will be some who try to use these uncertain days for their own political or financial advantage. They will start price gouging and using fear tactics and conspiracy theories to scare people into making rash decisions. Don’t fall for it!
The Bible says in Proverbs 14:8, “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts” (TLB).
The Bible repeatedly says that, especially in a crisis, you should always base your decisions and actions on the facts—not faulty statistics, fads, fear, or feelings.
God has given you everything you need to be wise and prudent in a crisis. You can test everything against his Word and have the confidence that it will always steer you in the way of wisdom. As a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit to give you discernment. And, you’ve got good sense! It is a gift from God, and now is an important time to use your reason and caution.
As disciples of Jesus, we should not just be people of faith. We should be people of facts.
“Get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense you can get”(Proverbs 23:23 TLB).
Talk It Over
- How do you test information you find on social media before sharing it with others?
- What would you tell someone who doesn’t trust anyone during a crisis?
- Why is it important for Jesus’ disciples to be known as people of facts?
Day 2
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
This too, Will Pass
When crisis hits, you have to do the smart things necessary to get through it. You listen to what the experts say, you make good choices, and you keep moving forward, remembering at the same time that this will pass. It’s not going to last forever!
The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:12, “Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you” (TLB).
In this world, there will be times of trial and testing—it’s guaranteed! Since sin entered the world, nothing works perfectly. Everything on this planet is broken—the weather, the economy, your body, and even your best plans. Nothing works perfectly in this life because sin broke everything on earth.
Isaiah 24 says, “The land suffers for the sins of its people [for they] have twisted the laws of God and broken his everlasting commands . . . The earth has broken down in utter collapse” (v. 4-5, 19 TLB).
Everything is lost, abandoned, and confused. Even nature is groaning. We may wonder why God allowed sin and evil to enter the world, but it’s because he gives us a choice.
We’re the ones that cause evil. We’re the ones that are selfish and self-centered and cause problems in society and in our environment. This is why we’re to pray the Lord’s Prayer—”Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”—because this is not heaven. Heaven is a perfect place with no sorrow, no sickness, no sadness, no stress, and we shouldn’t expect heaven on earth. One day we’ll get there, but we’re not there yet.
We will get through this trial. One day the Coronavirus crisis will be a part of our history. Soon enough we will marvel at all that God did in the midst of this trouble as we look at it from the other side.
And there will be more challenges to face and adversity to endure. This is part of our reality on this earth. But we always hope, because “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV).
Talk It Over
- What are some ways you want to have grown spiritually, physically, and emotionally when you look back at this tumultuous time in our history?
- While God does not cause bad things to happen, how do you think he wants to redeem them?
- What have you placed your hope in during this crisis? Will it be enough to sustain you?
Day 3
Scripture: Isaiah 43:2
Focus on What Is Unchanging
When everything around you is uncertain, the key to stability is to focus on unchangeable truth. In the days ahead, you need to focus on what never changes: God’s character and God’s Word.
Here are some unchangeable truths you need to tell yourself during this time of uncertainty:
God sees everything you’re going through. “The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:18 NIV).
God cares about everything you’re going through. “But I will watch for the LORD; I will wait confidently for God, who will save me. My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7 GNT).
God has the power to change what you’re going through. “Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened”(Matthew 7:7 TLB).
God always acts out of his goodness to you. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).
God’s plan is always better than your plan. “For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT).
God will never stop loving you. “For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain” (Isaiah 54:10 NLT).
Once you have put your trust in Jesus Christ, you cannot lose your salvation. “I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to safely guard all that I have given him until the day of his return” (2 Timothy 1:12 TLB).
No matter what you go through, God is with you. “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2 TLB).
To replace your panic with prayer, your worry with worship, and your anxiety with adoration, focus less on what social media is saying and more on God’s unchanging truth.
Talk It Over
- Which of God’s character traits can bring you comfort and hope while you experience trials?
- Do you have a plan for memorizing Scripture? Why is it important to do so?
- Who in your life needs to hear about God’s promises today?
Day 4
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-14
This Is Not the End of the Story
When the future is uncertain, the world comes to a halt, and there is a lot of fear. It might seem like your story is coming to an end.
The Bible tells us, “We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again . . . because we know that God raised the Lord Jesus back to life. And just as God raised Jesus, he will also raise us to life. Then he will bring us into his presence together” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 14 CEV).
You can’t lose! You win in the end, no matter what happens. Even if a global sickness takes your life-if you believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, then you’re going straight into the presence of God.
Your story will just be beginning.
Have you ever watched a TV show where every single episode ended in a cliffhanger and left you thinking the hero might not survive? The tension can be enormous.
But what if you waited until the show ended, so you could watch the whole series at once.
Well, when you know the series will last for six more seasons, you’re not too worried about whether or not the hero will make it out of a tight spot. Each episode is not the end of the story.
We don’t know how much time we have left here on earth, but that doesn’t mean we live without hope. To live with hope in the middle of a crisis like a global pandemic; you have to change your perspective. You have to live in light of eternity.
One day, when you meet Jesus in heaven all of your pain, sickness, sorrow, sadness, stress, and grief are going to end.
Here’s what you have to look forward to: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4 NIV).
This is not the end of the story. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.
Talk It Over
- In what specific ways do you need to change your focus from fear to hope?
- What tools do you have to remind you of hope when you feel discouraged or fearful?
- Why do we want the world to see that Christians have hope and confidence in the midst of a crisis?