Oh yes I did. As part of my 31 Days Writing Challenge, I decided to tackle the word everyone is talking about, Googling and whispering. What is ebola?
I am, obviously not a scientist. Maybe not so obvious, I also am not a medical professional–although I do play one in the middle of the night or after office hours whichever comes first–when one of my children gets sick.
If you Googled “What is Ebola” looking for scientific or medical knowledge, you are clearly in the wrong place. If you want to stick around and read how I wrangle my thoughts in a time of crisis…or everyday life, welcome! I’m Jenny.
As you can tell by my introduction, I have no idea, medically speaking, what ebola is. I mean, I know it’s a virus, but I cannot explain those wormy looking diagrams of the virus I see on the internet. I can tell you the symptoms, or at least what I’ve read the symptoms are and I might be able to tell you how it’s transmitted provided the information would stay consistent or make sense, and I can tell you the most likely outcome.
This post is none of the above. Here, right now, I’m going to share with you what ebola is to me, and as of March 2020, what Corona Virus is.
What is Ebola and Now, What is Corona Virus?
Let’s take a proverbial trip down memory lane. I’m 42 (now 48), so let’s go back about 30 some odd years. I have a vivid memory of being in elementary school and learning about ebola. Yes, elementary school and yes ebola. As an adult, as a parent now, I’m wondering what the world?!?
Its’ not like ebola education in the middle of Oklahoma was similar to a “Just Say No” campaign to warn me of doing drugs. It wasn’t even part of an AIDS educational program–wait, that was high school…anyway…I have no idea why I was learning about ebola, but for a sensitive child, it was traumatic.
So maybe this post will end up serving as a warning to parents of sensitive children?
Being a sensitive child and now sensitive adult means certain stories grab me and leave deep impressions in my mind and on my heart. That’s why I don’t watch television or click too far around the internet…scary stories which become in my mind scary possibilities. When I say those stories can grab me, maybe a better word would be “strangle.”
Scary stories can strangle the very life out of me. Without a moment’s notice, I can be thinking of a great musical, my grocery list or one of my children and the very next thought be so overcome with feelings of dread, fear, and hopelessness that I am literally almost paralyzed!
So what is ebola to me? A thief. And please pay close attention because Corona just may be your thief right now. The mention of ebola can steal me from the present moment and transport me back to elementary school and simultaneously propel me into the unknown future.
When I say a thief, I mean it steals any thoughts of truth, honor, justice, purity, loveliness, graciousness, excellence or praise. It steals the thoughts I should be thinking according to Philippians 4:8.
When I start to feel afraid, I have to quickly gather my thoughts and return to what I know to be the truth…Who I know to be the Truth. If I want to be a joy thinker, I have to firmly fix my mind on thoughts of joy. I cannot decide, “I’m not going to think of ebola or corona virus–it’s scary!” Guess what I then think about? How scary ebola or corona virus is! Try it.
Don’t think of a red apple. What did you just think about? A red apple!
Remember when we considered what the Bible says about our thoughts? And I had that great quote from Tommy Newberry’s book The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life
“You can do away with a negative thought only when you replace it with a positive thought.”
Instead of thinking “What is ebola,” I have to start thinking, “Who is Christ?” or “How much does God love me?” Or even “How can my children be ravenously hungry one hour after breakfast?!” Either way, I have to choose my thoughts and fix my mind on those thoughts so I will not be afraid in crisis.
Jenny, I saw these when you posted them, and I noted to come back and read them. I am passing them onto my SIL, who texted our family with fear of ebola. I tried to focus on the positive, good things. To trust in the Lord; be not afraid. Other family members commented about buying food and stocking up, real frantic-like. I replied that even Jesus says we do not know the hour, only the Heavenly Father does, and that we need to focus on Him and what He says … We have to be so careful about the news, because the media is in the business of getting us riled up, and apparently so are some family and friends, and we have to keep calm and focused on the Prince of Peace. Anyway, it was quite the texting thread! Ugh. But my SIL texted me privately, saying that what I said helped, and I promised her your posts … So, there you go! Thank you, and God bless!
Thank you for sharing my post Sarah. I will tell you, I bought some extra beans and rice a couple of weeks ago, because scared people do scary things, like clear grocery store shelves. My husband said he has heard for everyday life we should have a little extra on hand, especially living in Tornado Alley! But past that extra beans and rice, I’ve tried to practice exactly what I wrote, focus on Christ and not the scary news.
God has us. He is in control. Our thoughts need to focus on Him.
It’s so easy for me to get distracted though. Thankfully He never moves.
What a great post Jenny. I have just recently started reading the 4:8 Principle…..that coupled with the study of Sirach -exactly what I need in my life right now. Life has been so hard lately and I know I dwell on too many terrible things I cannot control. That makes for one depressing gal. Thank you for pointing us toward true joy.
Anne, prayers for you. You cannot go wrong with God and Tommy Newberry! They are a powerful combination to get our minds set right.
Great post Jenny! I am with you the least amount of hype and chaos for me the better, I’d rather think on the positive!!
The least amount, absolutely. I don;t even watch the news and this has become overwhelming.
Thank you for you reminder from Philippians 4. I need to train myself to take my thoughts captive and pray about any worry that I have before it I let myself be overrun with worry. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Thanks Jolene. It’s a habit I’m trying to form to go immediately to the truth found in Philippians 4:8 verse the lies of an overactive imagination or the world.
Jenny I think you so much for this post. I keep moving back and forth from faith to fear over this issue. Two of my kids are out of the house and living in cities that have had ebola issues. Back on my knees again.
Ah Barb, scary. Yes, back on your knees is the safest place for you and your children.
My mind works like that too. I need to remember to focus on Christ. Not so easy to do sometimes though. So easy to get pulled in by the news etc. Thanks for the reminder to focus on God who is our peace!
You’re welcome Tara. For me it’s a process of retraining my mind to go where I want it to go and not down some scary side street.
The scare mongering serves no purpose. Thanks for these reminders that God is in control. I tend to stay away from the news, but it’s been difficult with this information all over social media as well.
visiting from #write31days
That’s how I heard about it Melanie, social media!
I have Sirach open in front of me at the computer. Yesterday, my eyes fell upon “Woe to craven hearts and drooping hands.” Sirach 2:12 I’m like what is that?
The footnotes read: 2, 12-18
“A warning to those who compromise their religion in time of affliction; they fail in courage and trust and therefore have no security. But those who fear the Lord through obedience, reverence, love and humility find his mercy equal to His majesty.”
All right, so I’m getting a couple of things. One, I was given the gift of courage in Confirmation (Yay!) and two, I will die continuing, to the best of my ability with everything I carry, by grace, to trust Him.
It says that it’s obedience, reverence, love and humility that are needed. We’re doing that, aren’t we? No, not perfectly, but we are trying, through grace, to the best of our ability. We desire those virtues and that holy desire is from God.
Now, I haven’t even gotten started on “His mercy is equal to His majesty.” May God shed light on that one for me.
And, I am afraid of Ebola. But, I am also afraid of the common cold. I can only pray that God removes that deeply rooted fear that roams about searching for something, anything, to devour.
I can only pray that God removes that deeply rooted fear that roams about searching for something, anything, to devour.
Love that prayer Michelle, at least we rationally know where the fear comes from. The problem for me is stay in that rational mindset in the moment of fear.
I am glad that you did write about it. You have reminded me to pray for all those affected by it and for those courageous people who are taking care of them.
Thank you and bless you and all your readers.
Clare, your comments are always so kind. Unfortunately I have let this get the better of me the last two days. I’ve said before, many times I have to write it out/blog it out in order to fully see it for what it is and process it prayerfully.
I think you are writing on behalf of many others not just yourself. Actually, when I read your blog I felt ashamed of myself for not taking ebola as seriously as I should, at least from the perspective of faith. Your blogs are always a timely reminder to think more deeply as people of faith.
We have not been give a spirit of fear!
Amen! And if I would have spent more time pondering that, I would not have written a post on how scary ebola is. Thankfully He picks me up when I fall and puts on the right path.
ebola is definitely scary, and even I have gotten sucked into the hype. But God is in control and His will WILL prevail.
You are speaking the truth. I have spent too much time yesterday and today considering ebola and not enough pondering God…thus the late night post on ebola.