Quarantined by Fear 被恐惧隔离
Dexu Xia
Seek his kingdom. Luke 12:31
In 2020, an outbreak of the coronavirus left the world in fear. People were quarantined, countries were put under lockdown, flights and large events were canceled. Those living in areas with no known cases still feared they might get the virus. Graham Davey, an expert in anxiety, believes that negative news broadcasts are “likely to make you sadder and more anxious.” A meme that circulated on social media showed a man watching the news on TV, and he asked how to stop worrying. In response, another person in the room reached over and flipped off the TV, suggesting that the answer might be a shift in focus!
Luke 12 gives us some advice to help us stop worrying: “Seek his kingdom” (v. 31). We seek God’s kingdom when we focus on the promise that His followers have an inheritance in heaven. When we face difficulty, we can shift our focus and remember that God sees us and knows our needs (vv. 24–30).
Jesus encourages His disciples: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (v. 32). God enjoys blessing us! Let’s worship Him, knowing He cares for us more than the birds of the air and the flowers of the field (vv. 22–29). Even in difficult times, we can read the Scriptures, pray for God’s peace, and trust in our good and faithful God.
What’s causing you to fear today? What’s one thing you can do to seek God’s kingdom when you begin to worry?
Loving God, instead of living in fear or worry, help me to focus on Your care for me.
只要求祂的国。—路加福音12章31节
于2020年初爆发的新冠肺炎，让全球各国陷于恐惧之中。人们被隔离、各国封关，几乎所有的飞机航班及大型活动都纷纷取消。即使那些生活在没有确诊者地区的人们，也会担心自己可能会受到感染。对焦虑颇有研究的心理学教授格雷厄姆 · 戴维（Graham Davey）认为，这是负面新闻所带来的影响，因为负面新闻会使人忧伤并增加焦虑。在一个社交媒体曾经疯传的短片中，有人边看电视新闻边问道，如何才能停止焦虑？另一个人的回应是走过来关掉电视，其实他的建议就是改变专注的焦点！
路加福音12章提供了停止忧虑的建议，就是“只要求祂的国”（31节）。我们只要求上帝的国，专注于祂的应许：凡跟随祂的人都拥有天上的基业。面对困难时，我们可以转移焦点，记住上帝看顾我们，知道我们的需要（24-30节）。
耶稣鼓励门徒：“你们这小群，不要惧怕，因为你们的父乐意把国赐给你们”（32节）。上帝乐意赐福给我们！让我们同来敬拜祂，因为祂关顾我们，甚于空中的飞鸟和野地的花（22-29节）。纵然身处困境，我们仍可阅读圣经，向上帝祈求平安，信靠这位良善信实的上帝。
今天有什么事让你感到惧怕呢？
当你开始担忧时，你要如何转移焦点，寻求上帝的国？
而是要将焦点专注在祢无微不至的看顾