Preferring Prudence Over Panic
In challenging circumstances, we do not mindlessly “trust God,” but do what we can to face our foes. “The prudent give thought to their steps.” Roofs in biblical times were flat. Hence this warning: “When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof.” In other words, ponder, then practice prudent precautions. Don’t simply “trust God” to keep people from falling off your roof.
Having done what we can, we then rest in
God and reject fear. Panic was predicted to plague God’s people if they
abandoned him. “I will make their hearts so fearful that the sound of a windblown
leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword,
and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them. They will stumble over
one another as though fleeing from the sword, even though no one is pursuing
them.”
In the dark days of the Depression,
President Roosevelt counselled, “The only thing we have to fear is fear
itself.” When struggling to survive the Battle of Britain, Londoners gained
heart through the ubiquitous Churchill, flashing his smile, cigar, V for
victory, and avowing “We shall never surrender!” More helpful than celebrities
sporting hazmat suits and announcing doom and gloom. We admire others who,
eyeing an ominous unknown, choose calm and courage over cringing.
The election of Donald Trump in 2020 sent
scores of Snowflakes scurrying for shelter in “Safe Rooms” so they could shiver
and sob. Cadres of climate prophets predict (once again) that we have only a
decade left. Then of course came COVID-19 and all its variations.
The worst that can happen to us is death.
Though we do all we can to deter it, death will one day claim us all. The
prudent prepare. What good is a life spent denying and avoiding the
inevitable? Or imagining ills that may never overtake us? Fleeing even though
no one is pursuing? By all means learn the facts and take precautions. But does
panic help?