As the United States continues to learn more about the coronavirus and begins to take precautions it’s inevitable people are going to panic.
Like a virus, panic sweeps over the nation and infects millions.
Measures are being taken to lessen the spread, and despite the measures themselves being good, it is the reaction from others that induces panic. Despite what people may fear, it is very possible to get supplies for your household without going overboard. Yet, many are going off the deep end and grabbing whatever means they deem necessary.
Why? To what end will people go to feel comfort? To who do they turn to?
Toilet paper.
ALL THE TOILET PAPER!
How Toilet Paper Relates To God’s “Recklessness”
Fear does a lot of interesting stuff to us.
THINK ABOUT THIS -Some hoarders struggle to let go of trash. They will make every excuse in the world to keep an old wrapper. “It can be used for something… eventually. I need it. You don’t understand.”
People have different reasons for how and why they become hoarders. Some grew up with it in their childhood. Some lost everything they once had. Some use material items to fill voids in their hearts, souls, and minds that seemingly always need to be filled.
Two things hoarders share in common with the public panic of today:
- Fear of the unknown
- Control
When people are afraid they become desperate, and desperation with its sense of hopelessness, that all is lost, will cause others to make some very rash and careless decisions. Anything to fill their void, their fear of uncertainty. Anything to give them a brief sense of hope and control. Anything to give them comfort. Toilet paper.
Naturally, people become reckless.
*pause* Wasn’t there a song about God being reckless? That His love was overwhelmingly reckless? Hmm…
People fighting in desperation over toilet paper is not worthy to step within the vicinity of what it meant for Jesus to become a servant and become the unblemished Lamb for the atonement sacrifice for us. We cannot say the two are similar. But I’ll tell you this, one is being reckless (without a purpose and plan) and one is showing unconditional love (with a purpose and plan).
GOD IS NEVER RECKLESS
Now, let me ask you… compare the reckless actions taking place in the United State right now and tell me honestly…do you REALLY THINK that is how our God acts? Do you think God is EVER rash? Even when the Israelites infuriated Him, He did not immediately react, and He was willing to listen to Moses before making a decision. The Old Testament is full of God’s plan for the Messiah. Centuries of His plan and the progression of the prophets praising the Lord for the Savior to come. God is not rash, and He certainly is not hopeless. Believe it or not, God is a PROBLEM SOLVER!
In fact, Jesus is the answer! OUR HOPE! (Titus 2:13, 1 Timothy 1:01, 1 Peter 1:03 & 1 Corinthians 1:07)
(NIV) Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
(NIV) 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
The Father isn’t reckless. Jesus Christ isn’t reckless. The Holy Spirit is certainly not reckless. The reason people are desperate for toilet paper is out of recklessness. Fear. They do not have Jesus as their example, their hope, and their Savior. They are trying to store things on earth in hopes that it fills them, but it will not. True peace and comfort come from the Lord, whether or not we have supplies. Whenever we turn to people or items on this earth at some point they will fail us. God never will.
Perfect love casts out all fear. God is love. Jesus is truth.
(NIV) John 14:06, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
(NIV) 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
Jesus drives out fear. We are not made perfect because of sin. We need Christ. He transforms us. He helps us repent. He makes us a new creation. When the world is struggling, Jesus makes us content. He is our hope and light in the darkness and He is our peace amidst the chaos.
Remember, our hope is not in this world. It is not within our own sense of control. It is in Jesus! That’s how we get through! Do not hold onto the cardboard “scroll” that brings brief comfort. Rather, cling to the scroll of truth. Bind it upon your heart. Memorize the truth upon your lips in this time of chaos. Be the light on the hill to those around.
We need to be Christlike and loving, especially to those who frustrate us. I know many are struggling with the temptation of anger because of the actions of others. It’s a time in which finger-pointing is how we spend the hours. Lines are drawn in the sand, and people choose sides, making assumptions. Do not be caught in this trap brothers and sisters of Christ. Jesus crosses the line because He sees no difference in anyone, regardless of their sinful behavior.
This can be a great opportunity to witness. People who are deceived and afraid…they need Jesus, too. They need to see Christ in us!
Desperation… it’s not fun and not easy. BUT GOD CAN USE IT FOR HIS GLORY BECAUSE HE IS NOT RECKLESS AND ALWAYS HAS A PLAN AND A PURPOSE!
(Mike Winger did a great video analyzing the song Reckless Love looking at the lyrics and scripture, as well as sharing the singer’s intent with the song. if you would like to check it out- Thinking Biblically About Reckless Love)
COMMENT BELOW:
How are you staying grounded in Christ during this time?
Encouraging Christian Song– Strong Enough by Matthew West
Monthly Scripture- (NKJ) Psalm 85:03, “You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger.”
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
GREAT ANALOGY!!!!
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Thank you!
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UR WELCOME! 😀
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hmmm…….grace
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God’s grace does help us.
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Thank you
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😊
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My 3 years old emptied 2 whole toilet papers in the toilet 2 days ago and I almost cried😂. Honestly it would have been better he flushed my £5 because toilet paper is gold now (lol).
Regarding the song reckless love, I have read something similar and I see where you are coming from. However I also see the intent of the writer as well😊
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Oh my! 😅 what a time to go through toilet paper.
I’m concerned about the writer’s intent, especially after watching Mike’s video as he goes over it and what the song writer said he wanted it to mean. I might cover it in a separate post one day. 😊
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I am staying grounded today, the same way I did yesterday, and the day before the virus appeared on the scene. Ezra, a priest in the Old Testament, set his heart to study, practice, and teach the word of God. Daniel, from the Old Testament, when threatened with the king’s law did what he customarily did. He prayed. If we set our minds on things above and not on things of the earth, we know that God keeps us through it all.
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Amen, we are to have eyes focused on eternity ♥️😊 When we have the right routine like Ezra and Daniel even if times change it doesn’t change or threaten us.
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There has been a spirit of fear that has been unleashed, people are buying products that are not scarce. While it makes sense why hand sanitizer, bleach and Lysol would be flying off the rack, but why toilet paper?? Toilet paper is becoming such a hot commodity that I read there was a armed robbery.
In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, my soul is truly anchored in the Lord.
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Australia I believe did put limits on what people could get, that’s one theory I read that caused some American to stock up which then induced others, etc. But it’s all about our fear and lack of control, sadly. Oh, wow! Armed robbery!
Yes, Jesus is our peace!!!
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Well said, T.R. I’m just trusting in Him and praying. Just this morning, I was talking to a supervisor about the chaos surrounding toilet paper. If many of us put our trust fully in God, then we wouldn’t be scared and running around headless.
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❤ We need Him. He is our anchor and support.
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Yes! Amen!
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Thank you for balanced words. It’s frustrating for me to see not only the panic, but also those who have the flippant attitude that we should just go on with life as usual and continue to frequent whatever places happen to still be open.
God tells us to be wise in our daily choices. It is NOT a lack of faith to exercise good judgment and do the right thing about staying put for now and minimizing the risk to ourselves and others. But this is not something to panic about. We cannot change anything for the good by fear and panic. God is still in control and we do not need to fear. But there are those ‘out there’ who are not Christians. Do we really want to continue on with life as usual to make the point that nothing’s going to break our stride, and risk infecting others by carrying something to them we don’t even know we’re carrying. This is madness. And irresponsible, at best.
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Absolutely! Good judgement is needed. Sometimes the best way to show care is through distance in times like these. Thankfully, right now, we have access to technology that allows us to communicate through distance. We can encourage each other in multiple ways. We can witness to others without being physically present.
And there are those who take the risk to offer supplies, help medically, provide childcare to those who need help, etc. There are many opportunities both face to face and through a screen in which we can help others, witness and share the love of Christ.
Taking care of ourselves and others doesn’t mean we have to panic, so true, and I say this as I, too, struggle with fear. God is the absence of fear. It is a trying time. But God says He is perfect for weakness, probably because in weakness we are forced to look beyond our own capabilities.
God be with you 😊
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Amen to everything you just said. God knows we are frail and fearful.. this is why He says ‘do not be afraid’ so often in His word. He wants to comfort us and to assure us that He is a very present help in time of need. We have no need to panic. We should be the ones to tell others this.
Will there be Christians who will die of this virus? No doubt. But even in death we are wrapped in His love and care. It is well with our souls. This is not true of all who will die and it becomes our responsibility to think of them as we choose our own actions during this crisis.
God bless you, sister.
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❤
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I’m staying grounded in Christ during this time by trusting Him. I read the Bible daily, which helps remind me of His unfailing love.
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Amen! He is our trust and the word of God is the sword of the Spirit 🙂
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My mom has been a hoarder long before Coronavirus hit. The truth is, with all this virus talk I’ve realized how much I trust in things or my own strength. This is a great season to push into the eternal hope we have in Christ. Thanks for sharing this. Humans really like to feel in control, but that’s God’s job.
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Often it takes difficult times to see our weaknesses. It is a time to grow, for sure! Amen, God is the One in control, not us.
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Agreed.
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