Does anyone see that the COVID epidemic is a TEST from God?

[missmuffet]

Does anyone else see that this COVID epidemic as a TEST to see whom we should FEAR?  To reveal motivations?  To reveal truth?

I say yes. So who passed and who flunked?

[Marathoner]

A neighbor's family lost loved ones to COVID-19 (6 relatives). Just about all of my colleagues with the exception of two were either bed-ridden or hospitalized with the illness... more than once.

One of our residents, who was in excellent health when he left our program, passed away from COVID-19 less than two months after leaving. While he was here, the fellow was instrumental in saving the life of his roommate who suffered a stroke.

Was it my place to argue with the bereaved? To scoff at those who were ill? No. It's my place to offer comfort to the grieving and care for the sick, to be all things for the sake of my neighbor. Those are scriptural exhortations. 

I devoted myself to caring for our clients throughout the pandemic because that's what the Lord has me doing, and it's what I do best. Some members of staff resigned over concerns of our high-risk occupation (serving the homeless) but I refuse to judge them harshly for this. I choose to be merciful instead. Why?

Because the Lord has been merciful to me, that's why. The Lord is the master craftsman and we are His handiwork. He tries and tests us, but not to discover if we're "good enough." Trying and testing is part of the process whereby silver is refined, and gold is tried. 

COVID-19 was not a test by any means, but this has accomplished something in the end analysis. The merciful shall be merciful, and the harsh lack mercy; it has revealed much about the hearts of some who profess the name of the Lord.

[ayin jade]

24 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

 

COVID-19 was not a test by any means, but this has accomplished something in the end analysis. The merciful shall be merciful, and the harsh lack mercy; it has revealed much about the hearts of some who profess the name of the Lord.

I think this pandemic revealed much about the hearts of Christians. My husband and I are pharmacists. We have been vilified by some professing Christians over this. My husband gives vaccines as part of his job. He has been called a murderer by some Christians because he has given covid vaccines. 

[ayin jade]

On 3/19/2022 at 9:25 AM, ladypeartree said:

 

There was a LOT of fear mainly due to A LOT of missinformation and scaremongering and it is still going on .   

 

So much fearmongering and misinformation going on now. It is a tidal wave of junk out there regarding covid and the vaccines. 

[ayin jade]

On 3/19/2022 at 9:30 AM, George said:

No, not at all.  More like, did the COVID epidemic reveal FEAR of DEATH ...

 

A lot of people are overly fearful. I recall seeing even on this forum people freaking out over videos supposedly showing people in china just dropping dead in the streets. 

I have a 13.8% risk of death from covid if I end up in the hospital, compared to a  4.3% risk for anyone else who ends up in the hospital, because I am a cancer survivor. I chose to get the vaccine and to wear a mask. I wash my hands when I come home and do not touch my face when outside. None of this has stopped me from living. We go out, even out to eat in restaurants where we obviously cannot wear a mask. Covid has not stopped our activities except during lockdown. 

I faced other times that had a greater risk of death. Besides cancer, I was also near ground zero during the 1993 hantavirus outbreak in new mexico/arizona. With its high mortality (66-85% depending on whose statistics you look at), and unknown cause, it was a stressful time for those of us who lived in that area. 

My life is in His hands.

I think this is part of setting the end times stage though. Ukraine and russia reinforced that view.

[one.opinion]

4 hours ago, Starise said:

No it wasn't a little accidental outbreak in China. Do the math, look at the numbers, look at what's being reported.

I’m very curious. You seem so confident of this assertion. What evidence are you basing this on? As I’m sure you know, coronavirus crossover events from animal to human have occurred twice previously in the last 20 years. Although each of the potential pandemics fizzled out after the deaths of roughly “only” 1,000 people, it shouldn’t be a stretch at all to see the SARS-CoV-2 virus go just a bit further than the previous two.

The evidence that is currently available is not yet conclusively on the side of a natural spillover, but the evidence continues to accumulate in favor of that conclusion.

[one.opinion]

42 minutes ago, ayin jade said:

We have been vilified by some professing Christians over this. My husband gives vaccines as part of his job. He has been called a murderer by some Christians because he has given covid vaccines.

This is the kind of behavior that has saddened and surprised me. The disinformation has been so widespread that many Christ-followers have behaved very badly. I’m sorry that you two have had to endure this.

[Ancient]

On 3/20/2022 at 2:58 AM, George said:

Shalom everyone,

I'm posting this talking point, because I see the correlation between the Children of Israel and their wilderness wanderings and the tests they faced ... and failed ... to the times in which we are living.

Does anyone else see that this COVID epidemic as a TEST to see whom we should FEAR?  To reveal motivations?  To reveal truth?

Jesus first words when concerning the last days and the sign of his coming ... Take heed that NO MAN deceive you ... 

Does anyone else see the deception all around us?

Just throwing out some discussion points ...

Chime in ... let's sharpen one another as IRON sharpens IRON!

Let this discussion be done in LOVE ... and let's discuss this as a loving family ... give me your thoughts!

I'm interested ...

George 

Yep this is the hand of Yahweh. This is only the beginning. The pattern is all through the scriptures. How many times do we read that Yahweh poured out some pestilence or curse on the land because of torahlessness without Law and I am talking about Yahweh's Law. Church and societies have thrown them out the door and trampled on them. Don't believe me read the front of the book!!! Also read the Book of Revelation!!! Who is the one whom pours out His wrath on all the earth in a variety of ways and means. The doctrine of demons that says ohhh God is love and we can live and behave any way we want to because we are under grace. Well how does that stack up in the way our world is now. Nope get ready for judgement is coming the wheat will be sorted out from the chaff, the branches that do not bear fruit will be cut off and thrown into the fire. By the way fruit is always connected to the commandments in the front of the book.

But they will say Lord Lord did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons and do many wonders in your name. He will say depart from me "YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS" without the TORAH. 

He who has ears to hear let Him hear what has been declared.

His words will accomplish that which they were sent out to do, they will not return void.

Friends whether you like it or not this is what our bibles say. Are you going to be with the Torah or are you going to be found lawless without the Torah you decide. As always the choice is ours and ours alone.

Shalom

[George]

This is the link to the follow up thread ... doing multiple threads to keep the discussion from merging into many topics and harder for those who don't have time to read pages of discussion to follow along the thought process!

[Duck]

Isaiah 57

1 The righteous perishes,
And no man takes it to heart;
Merciful men are taken away,
While no one considers
That the righteous is taken away from evil.
 

² He shall enter into peace;
They shall rest in their beds,
Each one walking in his uprightness.