Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

As the virus causes great collateral damage and casts an ominous pal on the future, what should we be teaching our children?  Try these three things (at least).

First, God is Sovereign (in Control)

Genesis begins with: “In the beginning, God.”  God has always existed.  He created the world by speaking it into existence.  He sovereignly rules over his creation (Col. 1:16-17).  He directs every detail of our lives.  God knew 10,000 years ago we would be dealing with Coronavirus today and he is firmly in control of exactly how all of this is going to play out.  All of this should bring us great comfort and peace.

Second, God is Using This Crisis to do Good in Our Lives

Because God is sovereign, he uses all things—including the things that we most dislike, suffering for example—for our good (Rom. 8:28-30; 2 Cor. 4:17).  This includes everything from mild anxiety about food shortages to significant distress about losing a job or retirement savings.  God can use it all for good.

Third, God is Love

Our children need to be reminded that God loves us especially at a time when there is so much fear.  Nothing shall separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39).  God’s love is demonstrated in all that he has done to redeem us.  This includes the new identity we receive in his son, Jesus Christ.

That God loves us so much that he sent his son to die for us and then sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and never leave us, provides assurance of his love.  His love has not waned one iota even with current events.

Hope For The Fearful

These three truths about God are important for us and our children as Christians.  But that’s not all.  We are called to give an answer for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15).  How do we do that if we are as fearful as everyone else?  By intentionally focusing on these three truths—now—we strengthen our children’s faith in God and equip them to share him with others who are caught in the tsunami of fear caused by the virus and its ripple effects.

Practical Help Teaching These Truths

Mention of these truths in informal conversation can be reinforced by gathering the family together and teaching them, too.  I have prepared a simple 14 day study  that you can do with your family on these truths.