Panic, Faith and Actions

As I write this I can hear the Harley Davidson motorcycles rumbling down the road where I live.  I live in St. Augustine Beach, Florida, a favorite spot for bikers during Bike Week in Daytona.  St. Augustine is also the headquarters for the Professional Golfers Association.  Their very special event, The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra has been cancelled after only one round of play.  I'm sure the leaders of that enterprise are getting a lot of criticism for their decision.  Sporting events as well as other larger gatherings all around the world are being cancelled or postponed because of the Corona Virus.  Last night we learned that a Biker from New York on his way to Daytona became ill here and has tested positively for the virus.  Now it is in our little town with scores being affected that  have been in contact with him.  People are wrestling with decisions around the world.  People are asking, "should we cancel our event or should we close our business, should we have church services?  What do I do with my 401K or retirement funds that are in the stock market?"  I'm being asked some of those questions.  One stock broker said this week that the average Wall Street investments had fallen around 35% at one point.  We had the largest single day decline in history.  What guidelines should we follow as Christians in making decisions about  these and other things.  Here are a few thoughts on all of this.

MAKING DECISIONS AS A CHRISTIAN

1.  Don't Panic- Many years ago I taught a message on "Panic Kills Divers!"  It was based on actual event that happened to me while scuba diving.  The summary of that message was that panic can paralyze you with fear and can cause you to make bad decisions and ultimately get you killed.

I had a heart attack once and while getting tested in a Doctor's office, the Doctor said, "he's having an event right now!  Get him to CICU immediately for a heart Cath.!"  I said, "no, I won't go."  He took me out front and in front of his staff and a cardiologist he said, " I told this man to go to the hospital and he refuses.  Make note that he might not make it home alive!" I told them thank you but I would go home and I would come back to the hospital.  They weren't happy but they were telling me the best information they could give. Why would I do such a foolish thing? (I don't advise anyone to do this!) My reason was that I was in a state of fear and panic.  The Bible teaches us that "anything that is not of faith is sin."  I would not submit to any procedure in fear.  I had to get into a place of faith before I submitted to tests and procedures.  I went home, had a bite to eat, walked around in the yard praying and meditating on the Lord and then had Teresa drive me to the hospital.  When I walked in the Intensive Coronary Care Unit they said, "well, we haven't seen anyone WALK in here before!"  I had to get into a faith posture while in a time of panic and fear.  I had to do the same thing a few years later before I would agree to Open Heart Surgery.  I did it from a position of faith and trust in the Lord.  Get into a place of peace and out of panic before making decisions.  ALL DECISIONS!

2.  Make Decisions In Faith- This is critically important.  Don't make rash, knee jerk decisions.  Don't allow people, problems or panic to force you to make decisions.  Wait upon the Lord in prayer expecting to hear a word, find a Scripture or sense that deep abiding peace before acting.  The Bible, God's inner voice and internal peace are three major ingredients to making decisions for those filled with the Holy Spirit.  WAIT UPON THE LORD!

3.  Walk It Out In Faith- Once we have our direction we now move in faith and we don't look back. That Word, that Spirit led decision, was a marker in the ground in our lives.  When circumstances look bad, we look back by faith at the marker we placed in the ground of faith.  We won't second guess our decision or God.  Even in small matters of purchasing an item I ask the Lord for his guidance. I do my best to follow my peace and decision.  Once the decision is made I won't look back and I won't check prices any longer!  Do the same in making and following our Holy Spirit led decisions.  There are always questions after we hear from God.  That is the trial of faith but real faith is faithful!

4.  Individual and Group Decisions - People have to make their own decisions and leaders of groups must make their own decisions.  As leaders, we must allow people the freedom to follow their own heart in decisions.  As members of groups we must trust our leaders and give them the freedom to make decisions for group matters. For example, if leaders feel a group meeting is supposed to be held in questionable times, then, leaders must allow members to follow their own heart without criticism or judgment.  Likewise, members must allow leaders to make group decisions without criticism or judgment.  We are all human and "we hold these treasures in earthen vessels."

We are living in unprecedented hours right now.  It is not a time for new principles or ideas about making choices and decisions.  We must step back, take a deep breath and get into the Presence of Jesus for his answers and reassurance.