Here are some thoughts from C.S. Lewis.  Written 72 years ago, we simply need to replace “atomic bomb with “coronavirus.”  These words should be taken to heart by each of us, men in whatever leadership capacity we find ourselves.  This is especially true when with each passing day our normal routine of life are being disrupted.  It makes us very aware that we are in the midst of a global pandemic.

“In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb.  “How are we to live in an atomic age?”  I am tempted to reply: “Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, and age of paralysis, and age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.

In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation.  Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways.  We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors – anesthetics; but we have that still.  It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.”

My wife and I live in a comfortable senior apartment that fits our lifestyle just fine.  But we are seniors, who are being told to take extra precautions.  Everybody else in our building is doing the same thing.

Judy and I have prayed together each morning for many years.  Our prays include deep gratitude for all the good years he has given to us (54 years), his protection over us, and our desire to be his witness in the here an now.

That means that we need to be prudent and wise in our lifestyle choices for the next month or so.  We take all the necessary precautions that are asked of us.  But we do not live in fear.  

Men, I encourage you to read the story of King Jehoshaphat in II Chronicles, when he was faced with a vast enemy army.  He prayed, “O our God, will you not judge them?  For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (ll Chron. 20:12) 

Men, may you lead your family by keeping your eyes on the Lord.  A prophet spoke to the King, declaring, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God’s…..Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you” ( II Chron. 20:15,17).  

The next morning when the King went out with his army, he declared in confidence to the people, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem!  Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” (II Chron. 20:20). God gave them a mighty victory over their enemies