According to Worldometer, over three million people have tested positive for the Coronavirus with about 244,773 deaths globally as of May 2, 2020. Apart from the direct health effect of the disease outbreak, there are the economic, psychological and spiritual implications of the pandemic.

Many people have lost their jobs due to Coronavirus.  In the United States, more than 22 million people have been reported to have lost their jobs. Some people are running out of food supplies due to  them trying to stay at home to remain  their health safety from the Coronavirus. There is fear, panic and uncertainty and no one knows when this will be over.

These are perilous times. No one is exempted from the effect of the virus even if one is not infected. As believers in Jesus Christ, such occurrences as this shouldn’t catch us by surprise. The Scripture has spoken copiously about such events, especially in the last days. Jesus, while he was teaching the disciples about what will characterize the end of the age, said,

“For nation will rise against nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom, and there will be famines and plagues and earthquakes in various places” Matthew 24:7.

By plagues, He was referring to pandemics like this. However, this is not a time to despair or lose hope in God. We ought to be of good cheer as commanded by Jesus.  “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

Seasons of crises provide us with the opportunity to exercise our faith in God and express it towards fellow men. There is no better time for the world to know that we are followers of Jesus Christ. The following are a few ways by which we can help others through our faith in Jesus Christ in these troubled times:

1.  Exercise Your Faith and Absolute Confidence In God. Everyone needs faith to survive this season. We can inspire the faith of others by demonstrating ours. The world is confused right now. The world is looking for answers. We ought to be positioned as lights amid this darkness. Christians shouldn’t be part of the hopeless, the depressed, or the discouraged. This is because God has made provision for our survival in His word and we also walk with Him. Like Noah and his family during the flood, we should rise above the current flood of this pandemic destroying many lives. And like Isaac in Gerar, we should breakthrough instead of breakdown such that the world around begins to envy us. There is no better way to inspire others more than living a life of confident trust in God. It is contagious. The results of your faith in God will inspire and attract others towards your God. The testimonies of healing, divine supply and provision that are evident in your life will help others to trust Him too. When Isaac demonstrated his faith in the season of famine, the glory of God was revealed. The Philistines came down to Him and said, “We have certainly seen that the Lord is with you” Genesis 26:28.

2.  Prayer: Prayer remains one formidable way we can help others through our faith in Jesus. Prayer is an expression of faith in God. When we pray, it shows that we believe that He can solve our problems; we show our faith in the power of God to deliver what we request from Him. This, then, is the time to show our faith in God on behalf of others.

a.  We can pray for God to miraculously stop the spread of the virus. Through sacrifice and  prayer, David was able to stop each plague God brought on the Israelites because of the census 1 Chronicles 21:26-27. Through fervent prayers, Elijah was able to move God to send rain on the earth and bring an end to the famine. Aaron had to stand between the living and the dead (a symbol of Intercession) for the plague to stop, Numbers 16:46-48. God can stop the spread of this virus if we pray, 2 Chronicles 7:14.

b.  We can pray for the healing of those infected with the virus. The prayer of faith, the Bible promised, will save the sick James 5:15. Mariam was healed of leprosy when Moses prayed, Numbers 12:13-15. Jesus healed many as He prayed. The virus is not stronger than the power of God if we can release our faith. The virus was included in the diseases Jesus died for on the cross and by His stripes, we have been healed.

c.  We can pray for the bereaved due to the virus, that the Lord might console and comfort them. Our prayer can go a long way in bringing comfort to the hearts of the bereaved where our words may be inappropriate. The Holy Spirit knows the best way to bring healing to the brokenhearted when we pray. He is the Comforter.

d.  We can pray that the Lord might use this season to bring those who do not know Him to Himself. People tend to seek God in seasons of trials and troubles. We can ask God to use these challenging times as a tool in bringing desperate hearts to Himself.

3.  Serve Others. There is no better way to show our faith than to serve others through our faith in Jesus Christ in a time like this.

a.  We can volunteer to work with established health organizations in saving the lives of people who are plagued with the virus especially if we are into health-related professions.

b.  We can give relief materials to the vulnerable around us especially children, the elderly, the pregnant and the poor. We can send food supplies to people, we can give money or personal protection materials such as face masks and hand sanitizers.

c.  We can send words of encouragement to family and friends including strangers. People are apprehensive, panicky and anxious as there is so much uncertainty. Some have lost their jobs and don’t have any money. The psychological impact of the pandemic is unprecedented. People are discouraged and depressed. Our words can go a long way to bring relief to the faint-hearted especially when the words are based on God’s word.

d.  We can sympathize with people who have lost their loved ones. The Bible commands us to “mourn with those who mourn” Romans 12:15. While we may not be there physically with them, our calls, text messages or mail can go a long way in showing our sympathy.

Through faith, we can come through this global pandemic unscathed in the same way Daniel came out of the lions’ den. And as we come out, we can help others go through it too as we demonstrate our faith.  “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:2.

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