When you have 5 children who all love to wake up at the crack of dawn, you go to bed early like I do.
I was sound asleep last night, sawing logs, when my wife's cell phone buzzed.
It was around midnight, I was groggily awakened, and my Dad (who lives in Cleveland) wanted to talk:
"Jon, I have some bad news," he began.
"I know you were at The White House last week. Turns out you may have been exposed to that Coronavirus that's all over the news by someone at your Washington briefing.
You should go and get tested. You might have a lethal disease.
Maybe you need to self-isolate for 14 days. This virus is killing people.
Okay, well, that's all. Have a good night!"

Turns out I was not exposed to the Coronavirus.
But I can't blame my Dad for being anxious.
Everywhere you turn, people are talking about the coronavirus.
The evening news is trumpeting The End Of Civilization As We Know It.
There’s a lot of panic.
In some ways, I think the viral fear about it may be worse than the virus itself.
Don't get me wrong: If you are above age 60 or have underlying health conditions, there is reason to be alert to this virus.
But let's not lose our dang minds: God is bigger than the coronavirus. Don’t be afraid.
You have permission to not freak out about coronavirus.

Yes, we all should step up our hand washing game and listen to health professionals.
But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7).
Some of you need to sit back and take in the big picture.
Don’t over-react. Don’t under-react. Just experience God’s peace and walk in wisdom.

Here's what the Scriptures tell us about the season we're in:
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (Psalm 91:5-7)
No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:10-11)
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Jesus in Luke 12:25-26)
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (Jesus in John 14:27)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (Jesus in John 16:33)
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ABOUT JONATHAN HERRON:
I am the founding pastor of Life Church, the fastest-growing church in Michigan and 11th fastest-growing in America. I am focused on strategic leadership and engaging teaching, all fueled by a gnawing passion for engaging people far from God. My unique ministry approach has been featured online in Time Magazine, USA Today, and The Washington Times. Married twenty-one years to my high school sweetheart, I have five children plus a wiener dog with a nervous bladder. Bring me to your next event!