Similarly, we have the media. Oh, not just the media. We are surrounded by "trolls." They are evident in this current "pandemic panic." I recently heard a relative rant about how this is all Trump's fault because the WHO offered to solve the problem for us at the beginning and he refused. Internet, meet troll. As an example. The media isn't telling us, the whole truth or offering a balanced view because that wouldn't serve their bottom line. No, it's best to upset and disrupt, and we see the effectiveness of the trolls in our empty aisles in the supermarket, for instance.
There are biblical responses. There are multiple responses.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes. (Pro 26:4-5)It appears to be a contradiction at first glance, but it's not. Dealing with fools requires that we don't stand on their ground ("according to his folly"). With their premises and their line of thinking you'll end up with their foolishness. Don't deal with them that way. But don't simply ignore them. Give a fool genuine truth "that he not be wise in his own eyes." This, of course, requires that we have the truth, so we have homework to do.
In a world given to panic we are ... given to panic. Instead,
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:6-7)This is not a panacea. This isn't a cheerful "Don't worry; be happy." It places one foot on the real nature of the problem and the other on the real One who is in charge. It is a solid and complete trust in God. We know He is good. We know He is wise. We know He is love. We know He is Sovereign. We know He is omnipotent. We know that He causes all things to work together for good. It is that God to whom we pray and ask and give thanks and that God that can provide an incomprehensible peace in a storm.
And, don't forget. Included in that prayer is
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Tim 2:1-2)We (I) too often glance over this. Don't. Scripture calls for "entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men." We get that we need to pray for ourselves. And our loved ones. Family. Friends. Got it. This one is "all men" -- all people everywhere. Then it specifies "all who are in authority." Pray for Pelosi; pray for Trump. Pray for the leadership of Iran, the president of Russia, the government of China. All people; all authority. I have to say that if we take this seriously we will be a people of constant prayer. Like we're told to be (1 Thess 5:17).
One more. Right after that "Be anxious for nothing" text, Paul wrote this:
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Php 4:8)They tell us "You are what you eat." We certainly become what we dwell on. Here's a list. A good starting point. To be true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and praise worthy, that's where we need to be thinking. Dwelling. Since we can expect little of that from the media, perhaps that's not where we should be dwelling. Since the world is "of your father, the devil," perhaps that shouldn't be our primary source of things to think about.
Panic doesn't help. Lies are not from God. We are not alone here struggling to get by. Don't feed the trolls; pray for them. We, of all people, should be people of love, joy, and peace in a world afraid of a pandemic. "Practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." (Php 4:9)
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