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Fear Not

March,18 2020

Dear beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,
Fear Not
Let us pray together for one another, for our loved ones, infected humanity in these testing times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We believe that our God is God of life, justice, and peace. He is our creator, our savior, and our life-giver. To pray to God of life means that we as a sacred body of Christ -the source of life-, church, together with stand firm on the side of Jesus Christ, who gave his life to provide us with life.

Walking Without Fear Through the Valley of Virus
Health officials continue to offer common-sense steps to contain, reduce, and prevent new infections of the coronavirus. But what should be our spiritual response to this pandemic? How can our hope in Christ, the Lord of life, remain firm as we walk through this dark valley?

We have to remember, that the fact is that not everything we hear is true, “The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.” Proverbs 14:15. Base your decision on facts, not on fakes, politics, fear, or feelings.

We already know in advance that this virus will not last. It's a valley that we will walk through, and we're going to walk through it together. But we also have a hope of consolation of our Lord “And our hope for you is steadfast because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” 2 Cor. 1:7.

Let us have a lesson from Job.
What would happen if every single thing in your life went bad? Would you still trust God if your plans didn’t work out? If everything fell apart? If you lost it all? Would you be able to honor God even in your pain?

The whole book of Job in the Holy Bible is about answering that one question: Will you worship God when everything in your life goes wrong? For Job, almost everything that could go wrong did, but he was faithful. He worshiped God by honoring him, even when he was wounded.

So how do you honor God when you don’t understand what’s going on in your life? How do you keep your eyes on God when they’re full of tears?

You honor God, not by thanking Him for your problems but by thanking Him in the middle of your problems. You do what Job did.
Job 1:21-22, tells us how Job responded: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

At each point in your life, you can find reasons to praise God. Life is never all good, and life is never all bad. In every moment, you have good and bad together.

Throughout the book of Job, Job finds the good for which he can praise God, even in the middle of the bad. You can use this list to help you praise God, no matter what’s going on. Here’s what you can praise God for:
• That He is good and loving (Job 10:12)
• That He is all-powerful (Job 36:22, 37:5, 23)
• That He notices every detail of your life (Job 23:10, 31:4)
• That He is in control (Job 34:13)
• That He has a plan for your life (Job 23:14)
• That He will protect you (Job 5:11)

Replace your fear with facts, faith, and trust. Whatever is going on in your life today, choose to honor God in faith. Because the Lord is your Shepherd.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23


 

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The Western Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the Syriac Orthodox community, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization comprised of 18 churches and parishes in 17 western states. It was established in 1952 as the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church encompassing the entire United States and Canada. In November 1995 by the Holy Synod, the Western Archdiocese was formed to exclusively serve the 17 states of the western half United States.


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Tel: (818) 845-5089 Fax: (818) 953-7203
E-mail: bishopric@soc-wus.org

 

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