wfn.org | TCN Editorial: An anchor during H1N1 crisis

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>      Taiwan Church News

>3002 Edition

>September 7~13, 2009

>Editorial: An anchor during H1N1 crisis

>Translated by Lydia Ma

Medical technology advanced by leaps and bounds in the 20th  century as

mankind overcame deadly illnesses and bacteria one by one.  Sometime during

the middle of the century, an American epidemiologist by the name  of William

Stewart reflected on the progress made by medicine and confidently  declared

that humanity had seen the last of infectious diseases and the  study of epidemics

would soon come to a close. Who would have guessed that viruses  such as HIV,

Anthrax, Ebola, SARS, H1N1, and many others would soon be  discovered one

after another? Advances in medical technology, though impressive,  often seem

>to be playing catch-up with new diseases.

The recent outbreak of H1N1 has shrouded many people in a cloak of  fear. We

are worried about contracting this virus and medical professionals  have gone all

out in distributing pamphlets telling us what we should do to  avoid and treat

H1N1. Some doctors have also attempted to calm the general public  by clarifying

that the disease is not as scary as we may think.

Regardless of what medical professionals say they know, humans are  generally

clueless about how viruses mutate and spread. As medical  professionals race

against time to find cures, viruses sometimes decimate entire  villages, tribes,

cities, and countries before an antidote is found. One could  predict the war of the

21st century will be between mankind and microorganisms and we  have a long

>battle ahead of us.

In the face of debilitating epidemics, we are reminded of  Jesus’ words when he

taught people about the apocalypse, also known as the end times.  At the time,

Jesus had said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom  against kingdom.

There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in  various places, and

fearful events and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:10-11).  >From his words,

we learn that wars, earthquakes, famines, and epidemics are all  signs. These

signs shouldn’t make us afraid or lose hope, but rather,  remind us to stay alert

>and introspective.

An old adage says we shouldn’t worry about things we can do  something to

change, and worry won’t resolve things we cannot change. Many  times we cannot

understand why God allows suffering in our lives, but for those  who believe in

God, the inability to understand these things doesn’t leave  them helpless or in

despair. Instead, it reminds them of mankind’s weaknesses and  limitations – and

God’s ultimate control over all things. As the saying goes,  mankind’s limit is only

>God’s beginning.

In the face of so much anxiety over H1N1, let us learn together  what it is to rely on

God in faith. Let us humbly pray to God and ask for His mercy. We  also need

God to grant us wisdom, courage, faith, and love so that we can  overcome this

century’s battle with epidemics without panic because in God  we trust and hope.

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