GERMS, BE GONE!

The spring snowstorm we’re “enjoying” as I write is surely a gift from God to clear the air of germs. Happy Easter! May your day be filled with the wonder and joy at knowing He is risen!

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES        by Sally Bair

Germ warfare

No matter where I encounter a group of people, I hear sneezing and coughing. Is it that time of year? Or do we hear coughs and sneezes behind us and across the room at any season? Sometimes they come from our own bodies.

The germs in the air around us are probably so thick, it’s a wonder we can move through them without becoming sick. But God has given us some defenses against destructive microorganisms. Our diet, as well as our genetic makeup and our lifestyle, contribute to good immunity. Medicines help, too. Regardless of the defenses available, we know we can’t avoid germs.

We’re also exposed to spiritual germs. And we can’t expel them with a simple cough or sneeze. Some of them make us ill not only physically but emotionally. Take the germ of fear, for instance. Whether we fear rejection, failure or God’s wrath, we can become paralyzed by it. You may face other kinds of fear, such as illness, disaster, bankruptcy or even spiders.

God provides us with armor that will help us defeat fear. “Stand, therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God ….” (Ephesians 6:14-17)

Besides the weapon of prayer, all of these—except one—are defensive methods we can use to fight our spiritual germs. The only offensive weapon mentioned is the Word of God. His Word is powerful enough to destroy any problem we face, including fear.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Choosing to have the same mind as Christ’s—of love and obedience to the Father—will guarantee strength, power and soundness to defeat the spiritual germs we encounter.

Lord, thank You for giving us the weapons to use against any germ warfare we face. Cause us to rely on Your truth, Your righteousness, Your salvation and faithfulness, and Your powerful Word to win the war against fear. In Jesus’ name, amen.