During an online Worship Sunday Service of Pastor Tony Evans, of a Dallas-based megachurch, encouraged viewers not to let the coronavirus pandemic “own you.”
The rapid widespread of the contagious disease has forced large Church gatherings to halt. And because everyone has been ordered to stay at home, Pastor Tony Evans has been doing online worship services.
Tony Evans: Faith Over Fear
Pastor Tony encouraged believers not to get drowned in fear. He said, “Worry and fear have a way of transferring very quickly from you to other people.”
Then he continued, “I think that’s what’s happening with this virus. The virus is not the only thing that transfers quickly. Our anxiety, worry, and fear is outpacing the problem of the virus because it’s consumed the mind, the heart, the energy and the emotions of our selves, our families, the whole nation and even the world.”
Do Not Worry
The pastor referenced his sermon from Matthew 6:25-34. And then offered a straightforward solution to the dilemma the virus seem to get through people: Do Not Worry.
“We have a legitimate right for legitimate concern. What we don’t have the right to do is worry,” he said. “Being removed from fear doesn’t mean we ignore trials.”
Apparently, the megachurch pastor lost his wife, father and sister within the last year. Additionally, his daughter, Priscilla Shirer, underwent a lung surgery in January.
“God does not expect us not to deal with reality,” the 71-year-old said. “If you’re sick, you’re sick. If you’re struggling, you’re struggling. But that’s different than worry. Concern you own; worry owns you.”
A Warning From Tony Evans
Pastor Tony also warned about listening to too much negativity from the news as the number of infections and deaths spike. It can stir up an unhealthy and unbiblical response.
“It can draw you from legitimate concern from which you should act responsibly to illegitimate worry,” he said. Then he described how this crisis should be the best time to build up our faith.
“The size of your faith is tied to the size of your God,” said the pastor. “When you shrink God, you automatically shrink faith. So if you and I have little faith, it’s because we’re operating with a small understanding and view of God.”
Your Father Cares
Pastor Tony pointed out that how we view God as a Father is crucial in our faithful response.
“This Father cares for you,” he said. “When you come to look at Him this way, understand Him this way, relate to Him this way, you begin to experience God the Daddy and not just God the Creator. God will keep you calm even in a drought, even in a virus. So I want you to calm down, look at your family members right now, who are seated with you, and say, ‘Don’t worry.’”
Source: Christian Headlines
Dr. Tony Evans
