We all desire to return to a normal life, but when will life return to normal? We may never return to the way things used to be. We will face a new normal with lessons learned from this pandemic. Germs, bacteria, and viruses have been around since the Fall of Man, but we are much more aware of them than before. What lessons can be learned as we look at Covid-19 through the lens of The Cross?
1) Sin is more deadly than covid-19. It’s only because of Christ’s redeeming work on The Cross–my sins are paid in full. That’s an unbelievable value! As Dr. Sandy Stradtman recently said, “The sin ‘virus’ is much more pervasive and deadly, as we know. The Coronavirus is something we can catch; sin determines who we are at the heart level. The death rate from Coronavirus is about 3% or less; the death rate from sin is 100%.” This is why I’m grateful for Christ’s redeeming work on the cross.
2) We are now more cognizant of ways germs and bacteria spread. We’ll be washing our hands often, longer, and more thoroughly preventing any flu or virus from spreading. We might even designate storage space for pandemic supplies such as PPE, toilet paper, and nonperishable foods. We may decide to use a glove each time we pump gas into our cars knowing that germs and viruses from many people are lingering on that nozzle. I’ll never go to the grocery store without wiping down my cart handle with sanitizer. And if I’m sick, I’ll do everyone a favor and stay home! Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Or simply stated, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
3) We’ll never look at our children’s teachers the same. Instead of, “I know my child would never do that!” It’ll be, “Bless you teacher, and how may I work with you?” Some parents may decide to continue home schooling. And some for fear of what might happen if schools never re-open, will have them at school on time if not before. Covid-19 has reminded us that we as parents are the first and most important teachers of our children. May we teach and model for them the values that Jesus lived.
4) We realize that our days on earth are at best… tenuous and temporary. And only what’s done for Christ will matter. In Heaven, there will be no more sickness, germs, or bacteria. Keeping this eternal perspective keeps us sane when everything around us appears bordering on insanity. No matter what kind of quarantine we are under, God can’t be contained in a box. He can’t be quarantined. He is holy! He’s always with us. Nothing has changed. Sickness, germs, and bacteria will ultimately be defeated for good in Heaven!
5) God uses suffering to get our attention. He wants us to look to Him for strength, look within to see what needs changing, and look around and see how we can make a difference in this world. We won’t forget those folks who went all out to provide PPE, ventilators, and other critical needs. People donating and making things they’d never made before to meet an urgent need is the heart of America. And the message of the church continues to reach the world through creative means. I’d never heard of zoom until this pandemic and now I zoom here, zoom there, and I literally zoom all over this world. Who’d ever thought Samaritan’s Purse would set up a mobile medical unit in Central Park! Our gratitude for The Cross motivates us to reach out to others in new and creative ways.
6) We’ll never take for granted those who served on the frontlines —doctors, nurses, military, first responders, delivery personnel, grocers, etc. They either saved people’s lives or helped keep our economy and essentials moving. The Cross teaches us that the greatest act on this earth is to give your lives for others.
7) We now know that our immune systems are front and center in defending us against any flu or virus. In addition to CDC recommendations, we must also keep hydrated, keep moving, get adequate rest, eat immune-building foods, and eat probiotic foods to keep our gut and immune systems armed and ready for battle. Many doctors and nutritionists will tell you that keeping your immune system strong in addition to social distancing, washing hands, and isolating those infected is critical.
In addition to age, It was underlying conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease, diabetes, chronic diseases, and lung issues—some of them caused by our own lifestyle habits—that made Covid-19 aggressive in some more than others. Our responsibility to care for our bodies becomes more important every day. God has gifted us with an amazing body that is armed and ready for combat when we treat it responsibly.
8) Differences of opinion need to be forgiven. This pandemic set neighbor against neighbor and brother against sister. Some who opted not to get vaccinated were accused of keeping the pandemic going. Those who got the vaccine were accused of being foolish for taking a new vaccine with little research on side effects. Frankly, it was hard to know what to do when the vaccine was offered. I can remember hearing a doctor on the news saying, “This virus will pass through all of us eventually.” I can remember thinking to myself, “My immune system is functioning so well I don’t think I’ll get this virus.” After 15 months, my husband and I both got a mild case. Strong immune systems are definitely helpful, but I was wrong about not getting it. That doctor was right. But when it came to this pandemic, we were all wrong about something! So let’s forgive and forget. God has forgiven us through The Cross. Might we forgive others?
9) It will be hard to trust China and our own government. China’s cover-up of the truth cost the entire world much. It will be difficult to trust their leaders. Was this intentional or was it an accident? Did this virus originate from a wet market or the Wuhan Lab? We may never know for sure. As a result, we may be making more things here in the good ole USA—especially our cherished pharmaceuticals and medical supplies! And we should keep a close eye on China and its leaders.! If intentional, actions must be taken.
In addition, our own government should be held accountable for the many lies and deceptions. We were led to believe that this pandemic was far more dangerous than it was and that these new vaccines would prevent us from contracting and spreading this virus. Both turned out to not be true. At best, this vaccine lessened the symptoms in some people—especially in the first months. As time passed, the vaccine became ineffective due to how rapidly corona viruses change and mutate. More disillusioning was the number of side effects of these vaccines especially on those who are younger. When we were in Denmark, they stopped giving vaccines to children due to the then-known side effects. In Sweden, they stopped giving vaccines to men and women below 35 due to the rise of myocardia.
We now see how our government and other governments can use fear and increase government control during a pandemic.—some necessary and some unnecessary. Trust in our government has clearly diminished during this pandemic. We must be diligent in electing leaders who are trustworthy and believe in our constitution’s freedoms. We don’t want our government controlling our healthcare.
10). The practice of gratitude during hard times promotes healing. We have far more going our way than those who lived and died during the Spanish Flu in 1918-1919. Medical technology, ventilators, and drugs including antibiotics were unavailable when this pandemic swept through the world infecting up to 500 million and killing up to 50 million people. And they did not have the Internet to keep schools, businesses, and communication going. We should be thankful for these good things.
As I mentioned, I’d never heard of zoom until the start of this pandemic. Now I use it weekly to minister to cancer patients around the world. Our Bible Study was able to continue through the use of zoom. Looking for the good even in the midst of a trial and the practice of gratitude are both proven in research to boost the immune system. No wonder the Apostle Paul encouraged us in Philippians to pray about everything, give thanks in everything, and look for the good things–especially in the midst of a trial.
We do best when we learn from the past and apply the lessons we’ve learned during Covid-19. This may be a dress rehearsal for a future pandemic that carries with it a higher mortality rate and even more government control. The Cross teaches us that we are blessed to be a blessing even in the midst of this pandemic. Look for the blessings and how we can bless others during this time.
View this message on YouTube:
Ten Lessons Learned from This Covid Pandemic
For Your Health,
Ginny
Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com.
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