- Dr. Dorothy Haire
Yes, You Can!

It has been five months since COVID-19 began to devastate the world – mentally, physically, economically, medically, racially, and culturally. It is amazing how an invisible virus could cause so much damage. It can dominate every area of life, if allowed. I have spent the last five months reminding fellow Christians that we do not have to allow (we must not allow) this germ to weaken our faith in Almighty God.
The problems caused by COVID-19 are real and to the natural eye seem insurmountable. But our God is all-wise, all powerful, and everywhere. His power did not weaken nor was His authority stripped because the world’s governments do not know how to conquer this horrible disease. Jeremiah 32:17 declares, “‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”
The God who is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent decided to strengthen His people to overcome anything and anyone who threatens to harm them. Paul describes this infusion of power like this: “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” (Philippians 4:13, Amplified Bible).
When friends call distraught, I remind them of the overcoming power deposited in them by Jesus Christ and the sufficiency of All-Wise God. Several of their concerns are:
· I have been in the house for five months. I’m ready to go shopping, meeting friends for lunch, and go traveling. My response is, “You can stay in the house as long as it takes because it is the wise thing to do. “You can do all things through Christ who strengths you.”
· I am laid off my job because of COVID-19. The stimulus check and unemployment checks have ceased. I won’t be able to (pick one - feed my family, pay my rent, put gas in the car to look for a job). My answer is, “Yes, you will pay your bills! Our all-wise God will guide you to the needed resources (food banks, job leads, rent relief). He can give you debt cancellation in the middle of this pandemic. Glory! Philippians 4:19 says “And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
· I am so worried that I or my family may die of COVID-19, I cannot eat, sleep, or think clearly. My answer is, “Yes, you can sleep!” Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” (John 14:27 Amplified Bible).
· I have been in the house with my spouse for five months and I discovered that I do not like them. I can’t stay in this marriage. My answer is, “Yes, you can! Do not let Satan destroy what God gave to you! Work it out. Get counseling. Pray.” Mark 10:6-9, Amplified Bible explains, “But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother [to establish a home with his wife], 8 and the two shall become one flesh; so that they are no longer two, but [are united as] one flesh. 9 Therefore, what God has united and joined together, man must not separate [by divorce].”
Sisters, we must rely on the promises of God and stop viewing our circumstances through the lenses of our human ability and experience. On our own we are not going to be victorious. If the effect of this virus has crippled nations, it can easily destroy us, our families, and our communities. Sisters, we Christians possess a supernatural weapon: the power and authority of God infused into our spirit to be victorious in the middle of this pandemic. It is activated by our knowledge of and obedience to His Holy Scriptures and our belief that He cannot lie.