Post Pandemic

Author: Helen Lam
Translator: Kim Ng

Horrifying COVID

When COVID-19 broke out fiercely in 2019, it quickly became a global pandemic in early 2020. Up till January 20, 2023,

Numerous people have been affected:

• Worldwide: 672 million confirmed cases and 6.82 million deaths. 
• U.S.: 102 million confirmed cases and 1.11 million deaths. 

The pandemic has caused a global economic recession.

As the invention of vaccines gradually eases our medical and financial crises, the new variants such as XBB and BQ.1 have become another wave of threat.

Although these variants are not as harmful as before, the post-covid conditions should not be ignored.

• Depression:  In March 2022 W.H.O. reported that the cases of worldwide depression had increased 25%, with a greater impact on women than men. The percentage has continued to grow and the deepened depression caused young people to engage themselves in self-destructive or suicidal behaviors. Here are some of the causes:
  • Family members or friends have died of covid. For example, an old man was left alone due to the covid-related deaths of his old wife and his unmarried son.
  • People panicked from the horrifying news about covid.
  • Patients of other diseases did not get timely medical treatments due to the overwhelming cases of covid in the hospitals.
  • Business closings, unemployment, and inflation have made it hard to maintain a reasonable way of living.
  • People were isolated from the community and lacked daily supplies.
  • Medical workers were burned out from extremely long hours of work.
  • Both parents and children stayed home all day during lockdown and had fights easily due to the lack of personal spaces.
  • Seniors in nursing homes were extremely isolated since their families were not allowed to visit them and some were even quarantined in their rooms whether they caught covid or not.
  • Closings of churches made it hard for their members to build their faith and to interact with each other.
  • Traveling was limited and many people have become addicted to their electronic devices so severely that their family time and sleeping habits have been turned upside down.
  • Being stuck at home all day without exercising has bored people to death.

What can we learn from the pandemic by God’s grace?

• Suffering does not come from God but from the devil who intends to harm us physically and mentally so we might blame, doubt, and forsake God. God has manifested His loving kindness for us throughout the Bible: ““For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”” (Jeremiah 29:11) God loves us so much that He saved us by sending His only Son to die for us.
• God has turned this pandemic into a blessing in disguise.
  • Without God’s permission, no suffering will come to us: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
  • This pandemic is like a furnace that removes our impurities:
    • Unemployment unshackled us from our “job idolatry”.
    • Economic recession has awakened us not to rely on financial security.
    • The numerous deaths have forced us to face the reality of death and the shortness of life, preparing us to open our hearts to salvation.
  • The Lord’s Day is near. “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven…“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Luke 21:11, 25-26)

Let’s make the best of our time going forward:

• Devote our time to worshiping, prayers, studying God’s Word, living a life pleasing to God, and spreading the salvation of Christ.
• Resume in-person church meetings.
• Since life is full of uncertainties, we need to be vigilant about bringing people to Christ.
• Let’s live in the moment and treasure our family and friends. Be ready to meet God anytime.

Our post-pandemic condition is to put our trust in the sovereign God: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Let’s be equipped to serve God and help others because the Day of the Lord is near!