I know my family abroad is concerned about the Coronavirus outbreak here in Daegu, South Korea, from the news. I love you. 💓 Thank you for thinking about us. These are my thoughts below after an excerpt from an American Pastor with his family there in China that I agree with (the whole article is great though). I know this seems scary, and in a way it is because we don’t know the outcome, but as a Christian, I place my trust in Christ alone. I do take precautions though… but I do not live in fear. I know where I’m headed! I’ll explain more after the excerpt below. You can read the whole article here at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jehoshaphat-and-coronavirus/.
Excerpt from @thegospelcoalition blog, “King Jehoshaphat and the Coronavirus” written by Pastor Jason Seville:
“The coronavirus may plateau over the next week. Or it may worsen. My family may be spared from this epidemic, or we may become a statistic. Still we look to God’s salvation. Not because he’ll necessarily prove his love to me by protecting me from illness, but because he’s already demonstrated his love by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners, so that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life (Rom. 5:8; John 3:16).
I pray for this virus to be eradicated and for my family to be healthy, but God is good regardless of what these next weeks bring. I wear a mask outdoors and wash my hands frequently, but my hope isn’t finally in these efforts. I desire long life for myself and my family, but I also know the goal of life isn’t to escape physical death. That’s a fool’s errand. The goal is to be prepared when physical death inevitably comes, glorifying and enjoying God until that day.”
🤔 🤔🤔🤔This (above) is a great article (here) and reminder from a pastor who chose to stay in China. We are here in #Daegu and even though our situation is not as severe, we each make choices about where to place our trust. It shows in our actions more than in our words. Lord I DO thank you that YOU are here with us. You have already provided for us by sending your Son that we can forever be with you, and not separated from you, for eternity. I know this earth is not my forever home. My life here will end. I don’t want it to end yet (nor do I think it will end here because of this virus but what do I know? Only God knows the end and the beginning of our days- I don’t know this and ultimately cannot control this no matter how careful we may be.) I DO know and choose to believe that God is good. He sees me and us all around the world. I know my life is not all about me. I know that if I am given another day to live, I want to use my days to glorify God- the One who knows everything about me yet still gave Himself up for me on the cross. Who does that? Jesus did.
‘For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ‘ Romans 5:6-8 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.5.6-8
I will live my life for Jesus and tell others about Him and what He has done for me and for you. May we NOT be filled with fear, suffering as if we are all alone. As Pastor Seville alluded in his blog post here, we cannot predict the future but I know who holds my future in His hands. I choose to trust in the Lord. Note: as a Chaplain said when he made the latest announcement of a cluster of people diagnosed here in Daegu said, “I still look both ways before crossing the street (even though I know God is in control.)” Great example! So, Yes I Will (watch the song here) wear a mask and I will continue to practice good hygiene and I will submit and follow the guidance given by leaders on @usagdaegu but I know ultimately where I place my trust. My hope is the Lord- the maker of Heaven and Earth. I pray for leaders as they make decisions. I pray for those infected and for those living in fear. I pray for those who follow #Christ to share #hope and #truth.
#Godisbiggerthanxyz #thegospelcoalition #faith #coronavirus #usagdaegu #COVID19
This blog may be helpful as well but feel free to reach out with your prayer requests and comments. https://sejanashines.com/2018/07/12/when-you-are-struggling/
Looking for a Bible Study to watch and consider during this time? Try these: https://sejanashines.com/2020/03/07/bible-time-worship-every-episode-summary/
Sejana Shines 
No need to live in fear, Creation gave us Garlic – is a known killer of virus epidemic pathogens. A two word search ‘garlic pathogen’ will affirm this; thousands of scientific studies verifies this sharing. Rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. The just have the knowledge to provide comfort in times of trouble, to sustain in these days of tribulation.