As I write this, over 1,000 people in the U.S. have now died from COVID-19, or the coronavirus. This is sobering news. We must not take this lightly, for this is indeed a very serious disaster that has already claimed the lives of thousands worldwide and authorities say the worst is still to come.

In light of this ominous and unseen threat that hangs over our world like a large, dark cloud, I want to offer you some encouragement from God’s Word. While we are wise to take this virus seriously, we as Christians must not give in to fear, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7).

Here are some important truths to keep in mind as we anticipate the impending trouble before us: