Our world has become chaotic and stressful. 

Fear runs rampant. Shortages of food and other toiletries are still evident in our stores. Accusation has escalated to an all time high. We are encouraged to participate in the Stay-at-Home Violation Complaints. We hold everyone at arm’s length because, God forbid, the risk of getting the virus is much more important than the spiritual and emotional well being of the individual in front of us.

What has happened to our world? 

I think we’re all feeling a bit like our daughter who wistfully said, “I wish we could just go back to our world before this virus.” 

Yep, girl. Me too! 

But what is most alarming is not Covid-19. Or even the political upheaval. Unfortunately, we’ve all been contaminated by an enemy that is not physical.  

The virus Christians are spreading has become more deadly than Corona. 

As Believers, we are called to make a difference. To demonstrate a better way. We possess a higher calling. However, many Christians possess greater fear than faith. They have more faith in the danger of the virus than in God. Fear is destroying lives.

The greatest thing impacting our lives isn’t Covid-19, but rather the lack of believers living out their faith. 

Many believers have adopted the same victim attitudes as unbelievers. These strong feelings of entitlement are destroying not only our world, but also our churches. 

For instance, why is it ok for me to demand that YOU stay at home to protect myself? Or even to protect my “high risk,” heart-transplanted daughter, who’s forced to live with a weakened immune system, so she doesn’t reject her transplanted heart? 

Although she has weakened lungs right now, what kind of a person would I be to expect others to alter their lives and cater to us? Isn’t it our responsibility to determine whether we go out in public rather than demanding you don’t? 

Although our daughter goes into dangerous, anaphylactic shock to cow’s milk via cross contamination, we don’t expect you to stop eating dairy to protect her, or demand that restaurants stop carrying dairy products. Even though it is extremely life-threatening for her. Wouldn’t it be better for us take responsibility for our own health (or lack of) rather than blaming others or expecting them to sacrifice their finances and care of their families to care for ours?  

The evil spirit of accusation is not only active in our society, but also in our churches.

We may be appalled at the controlling, malicious, victimized attitudes coming from those within the unbelieving community. Many of their demands of equality flowing from darkened hearts, spewing with bitterness. But we understand this, since they don’t personally know the Lord. However, we are seeing many of these same attitudes within the “church.”  Hurtful accusations are slung when Christians respond as unbelievers. 

Bitter accusations and rude remarks are rapidly fired on many social media threads right now. We are saying things to people via social media that we would never say to their face.

Shouldn’t we be graciously looking for the beauty we see in the hearts of those we disagree with? We should be slow to criticize others when we haven’t experienced the same journeys in life. Sadly, many Christians seem to respond with rapid assumptions and harsh accusations as unbelievers. 

Why is this?

Doesn’t being Spirit-filled include the words and actions we demonstrate on social media? Let’s focus on changing the world rather than shaming.

I understand when an unbeliever acts like an unbeliever. But Christians are called to a greater standard.

I understand fear…if we don’t believe in an all-powerful God.

I understand stockpiling food and essentials…if we doubt God’s provision for His children. 

I understand condemning those who don’t take precautions exactly like us…if we don’t believe in the beauty of personal responsibility.

I understand the concern for ourselves and our families…if we don’t understand God’s command of self sacrifice.

I understand responding as unbelievers…if we are unbelieving of our God.

As Believers, we just celebrated the resurrection power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But have we forgotten about the power that God promises to His children in Romans 8:11?

The same spirit and power that enabled Jesus to victoriously burst forth from the grip of death is living within us. Think about it. True believers possess life-giving, overcoming power. How incredible and exciting is this! We have the awesome opportunity to live victorious, joy-filled lives. And it begins with our thoughts and actions. 

Our thoughts are like seeds. Some turn into beautiful flowers and brighten others lives. Other thoughts become weeds of negativism and bitterness. Our hearts can be a greenhouse of weeds if we don’t stop the negative thoughts. As a man think it in his heart, so is he. We can create the beautiful life we’ve always wanted by loving the life we’ve currently been given.

Lord, begin with me. If I truly believe in resurrection power, may I exemplify that power in my own life. Help me to think, act and respond as a true Christ-follower, rather than responding like the unbelieving world around me. 

~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)