FEAR and CAUTION: Are these same?

People see danger in many things but not the same level of danger as others do:

· Presidential election and the future of our country

· Economic impacts on country from virus and elections

· Jobs, unemployment, personal finances, losses in stock market

· COVID 19

· Relationships damaged because of judgements about beliefs

· Schools opening: safe/not safe

· What is the truth in the news?

· Church attendance and member practices

· Consequences to health and emotional health from extreme caution/distancing

· China relations and fear of war

· Civil unrest and protests with some ending in riotous activities

· Increase in crime, police defunding, and vastly differing views on the approach to this

· Spiritual upheaval and END TIMES, moving to the Rapture

For every danger above, there is a long list of how to approach and manage responses. To some, the best formula is denial of the threats and ignoring all cautionary guidelines from officials and leader. In other words, some are just going on with their lives as if everything has returned to the normal of 2019. Others are reacting with extreme caution that seems a paranoid-type response to the long list of changes 2020 has brought. Some are holding to the stance that a balance between these two is their best response.

Divisions are happening in churches, just as divisions are happening in companies, in communities, in families, and even in schools. Some schools are going all virtual and some are opening up full time. Some have established new safety protocols and some have developed hybrid systems and limited attendance programs. Some teachers are all onboard and preparing for classes; some are protesting student attendance altogether and are campaigns for delays until the spread of the virus is more managed.

Looking into the realm of the spiritual world and Christians, churches are facing challenges daily as the pandemic is growing. Churches in some regions have been ordered to close for now. Some are and some are not. In areas where gathering is not banned, churches are very different in their cautionary practices for open services. Some require masks and enforce distancing. Others suggest measures but these are not being observed by many.

Judgement of each other and their views is threatening unity and harmony. Turning to God’s word for answers, we find the Bible tells us that we can’t fear and love at the same time.

1 John 4: 17-18 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 19 We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. 20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

The level of caution in the facing each of these dangers is causing divisions, even name calling and judgements about each other. In some cases, some are questioning the level of wisdom in the decision makers and reacting in anger, sometimes extreme anger. How are we supposed to act?

Ephesians 5:1-2 Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Philippians 1:9–11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

The best I can offer is that we can consider that our perspective to each danger comes from life experiences that may have been painful or traumatic or frightening or totally without consequence. We can consider that others have different needs and different living circumstances, having also had different life experiences. Households with spouses with widely differing perspectives on each of these dangers may have strife over the actions of the other. Homes that have experienced loss of jobs and income challenges may be experiencing uncertainty about the future of their housing. Individuals with health issues will certainly have their own perspectives about how to continue their lives during the pandemic. Churches with members who share a common perspective on cautions may turn on those with other views. Only God can guide us to the best judgement for our own personal actions and only God can guide our hearts to love each other and to be considerate of each other. “Walk a mile in my shoes” comes to mind but we don’t know what were the perils on that person’s paths.

James 3:13-16 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.

1. Be who you are, be your genuine self.

2. Follow your own value system and common sense.

3. Listen to the advice of others, but make up your own mind.

4. Recognize, appreciate, and develop your unique talents. https://www.essentiallifeskills.net/betruetoyourself.html

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.

Heated debates spoken in defensive and angry tones aren’t going to change the spread of disease. Name calling of those who are in favor of schools opening, or those that aren’t, isn’t going to mitigate community exposure. Strong admonitions to others within a family about their views and actions won’t enhance the economic situation. Insults about political favorites won’t elect a president that will be able to manage all the complexities of a nation on the verge of war and dealing with civil uprising.

Thoughtful evaluation of the situations at hand, researching the validity of claims, listening to trustworthy experts and walking in the virtual shoes of each other will help to reduce the stress and anxiety. This, combined with prayer and sincere seeking of God’s plan for us, will bring peace. Acceptance that each of us will give greater consideration of which are the greatest dangers in the world right now will help us to not struggle, and greatly reduce the divisions that are looming.

There most likely will not be a simply answer to each of these dangers. The situation is changing daily. Looking to God’s guidance can help each of make the best response and be the greatest support for each other. We can pray for each other; offer a helping hand in ways that we can; give encouraging words as we travel through this season.