How Should Christians Behave During a Pandemic?

In a time of global unrest and uncertainty, Christians everywhere are seeking wisdom on how to respond to a pandemic.

We know there’s trouble in this world. As a community of Jesus-followers, we have this unique opportunity to model how we can be joyful in the face of such trying times. John writes it this way: be of good cheer. Why? Because we know the One who overcomes even the worst crises in this world (John 16:33). Hard times are to be expected. But how should we, as Christians, respond to mass sickness and uncertainty?

In the 16th century, Protestant church father Martin Luther gave this answer on how he would respond to the bubonic plague. It seems appropriate for us today:

Luther’s response demonstrates the balance many of us are seeking right now. He intercedes through prayer. He exercises the best known hygiene and health methods of the day. He practices social distancing to reduce spreading the contamination and to protect others (sound familiar?). Finally, he embraces opportunities to help those in need.

The world will remember how Christians responded during this time. Act in wisdom and compassion daily. The pandemic we are living through now is unprecedented, but Jesus’ love and our need for that love remains the same. Share it generously.
 

“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

Dr. Teresa Moon, founding President and CEO of the Institute for Cultural Communicators, is an internationally-recognized seminar speaker, education consultant, author, and leadership coach. Each year, she travels globally equipping students, teachers, and parents to become “cultural communicators,” transforming ordinary students into extraordinary communicators and authentic leaders.