#RejoiceInHope: From What-ifs to Why-nots

As I write this, the world is in panic. Covid-19 is halting flights, closing borders, shuttering businesses, and worst of all, killing people. By the time this article gets published, who knows how much worse things have gotten?

How can something invisible to the naked eye wreak so much havoc? If you are in the boxing ring, you want to be able to trade punches with your opponent. But how can you win against an enemy that you cannot see?

It’s so easy to give in to fear and paranoia. What if life doesn’t go back to normal? What if we can’t flatten the curve? What if this plague wipes out thousands more, including the people I love? The worst-case scenarios are endless.

How about we replace our What-ifs with Why-nots?

Why not continue to have faith and believe that God is still in control? Why not hold on to the hope that this—just like any other storm—will pass? Why not love people lavishly, extravagantly, while they are still with me?

The virus might be able to invade our body but nothing can penetrate our hearts without our consent. Yes, we are battling an unseen enemy. But there are many other powerful things that we cannot see—Faith. Hope. Love.

I’d like to have the same kind of faith as the Roman centurion who came to Jesus. This loving master asked healing for his paralyzed servant. His was the kind of faith that didn’t just believe in Jesus’ ability to heal. This faith also declared, “Just say the word, Lord, and my servant will be healed. You don’t even have to see him".” Jesus commended him for his faith and said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And just like that, it was done.

What if we all storm the gates of heaven and pray like crazy? Why not continue to believe that God is sovereign, powerful, and good, and trust Him with all our hearts? For those of us who believe in the prayer-answering God, our hope is not in vain. Let’s echo the words of the psalmist in Psalm 121:1–2, who said, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

BENG ALBA loves working with words—whether writing them or editing them. Her works include Ang Batang Ayaw Maligo, Si Joey at ang Gulay Gang, What’s in Jochebed’s Basket?, The Whiny Prophet and Flaming Furnace, Fiery Faith. She blogs at www.bengalba.wordpress.com.